In honor of the Fourth of July tomorrow, my husband and I listened to a two-hour Gaither video this evening -- one that we never tire of hearing regardless of the numerous times we've enjoyed it: Let Freedom Ring. The Gaither Homecoming Friends were giving a concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City in honor of 9/11. Of course the theme of their songs was "Freedom."
I'm afraid the majority of people today take the freedom our country affords for granted. We forget the cost of that freedom bought by sacrifice, heroism, blood and determination. And with the political conditions that exist today, it makes one wonder just how long we will continue to enjoy our hard-earned freedom.
Even greater than freedom from want, freedom from fear, freedom of speech and freedom of religion is spiritual freedom!
It seems to me there is one thing more than any other that keeps people from enjoying spiritual freedom thereby keeping them in spiritual bondage. And that is unforgiveness.
It is so easy to carry a grudge, holding onto it until it becomes more than just a grudge. It becomes deep-seated unforgiveness. And that, my friend, will keep a person in spiritual bondage. Unforgiveness may seem like a small thing until we consider Mark 11:25, 26.
In verse 25 of the Living Bible paraphrase, Jesus commands us to forgive not just sins, but also grudges: "But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive you your sins too." (The King James version uses the phrase "if ye have anything against any" instead of just "grudges". Of course, "anything" would include grudges as well as a lot more!)
Continuing in the KJV, verse 26 takes this subject of unforgiveness one step further. It reads, "But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father, who is in heaven, forgive your trespasses." Wow -- that's scary! In other words, if we won't forgive, God won't forgive!
I've learned that in dealing with someone who has trouble in believing in Christ for salvation, or for anything else, for that matter, to ask them if there is anyone they need to forgive. For forgiveness breaks sin's bondage and brings spiritual freedom.
How about you this Fourth of July? Are you enjoying spiritual freedom? Or is there someone you need to forgive?
Preacher's Kid
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