July 4 Independence Day Message
Liberty - The Liberty Bell and God's Law
Happy Independence Day weekend. We have prayed in the prayer for yesterday especially ", O ETERNAL God, through whose mighty power our fathers won their liberties of old; Grant... that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain these liberties in righteousness and peace.."
The word liberty in the Old Testament Scripture written on the Liberty Bell, " Proclaim liberty throughout all the land .." Leviticus 25:10 means release in the Hebrew Bible. Every 50 years was Jubilee or release and Sabbath for every one would fear God and not oppress their neighbor in this year by God's commandment. God was allowing a time or release and relief to all.
Freedom was granted to slaves during the Jubilee year. People who had been displaced could return to the family inheritance. This was an acknowledgment that God owned everything, not man.
The Liberty Bell rung at Independence Hall in 1776 was such a reminder for the colonists on July 8 as the Declaration of Independence was read. In the 1880's in the time after the US Civil War, the Liberty Bell travelled across different parts of the US to heal with its message of liberty. In 1915 it went all the way to San Francisco at the request of 500 school children. Its message of unity and liberty went all across the US westward and back to its place in Philadelphia as many stopped to visit it and look at it on its journey.
Today we celebrate liberty in our country and throughout this great weekend. What is liberty for us? What is our freedom?
The Boerne Church, ST John's had a good thought about this in their newsletter. Henri Nouwen talks about his hour in the chapel, " My hour in the chapel is more important that I can fully know myself. It is not an hour of deep prayer, nor a time in which I experience a special closeness to God.......it is full of distractions....But the simple fact of being for one hour in the presence of the Lord and of showing Him all that I think , feel, sense, and experience without trying to hide anything must please Him. ...Still the Lord speaks to me, looks at me, and embraces me there where I am....when I feel this inner pull to return again to that hidden hour of prayer, I realize that something is happening that is so deep that it becomes like the river bed through which the waters can safely flow and find their way to the open sea...."
We sing " Our Father's God to Thee, author of liberty, to thee we sing, Long may our land be bright, with freedom's holy light; Protect us by thy might, Great God our King." ...in " My Country Tis of Thee. James 1:25 " But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty , and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." The perfect law of liberty is the law of Christ where we find true freedom. " If you continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31
Our liberty is found in God and Christ alone. "
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled with the yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1 We are justified by faith alone and not the works of the law the Apostle says to the Galatians. " For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcision , but faith which worketh by love."
Freedom is bought with the precious blood of Christ, the price we could not pay. But proper freedom is expressed in love for God, each other and doing His commandments. It is not license to do whatever we want outside of the Ten Commandments and the will of God.
In October 1777, the British occupied Philadelphia. Weeks earlier all bells including the Liberty Bell were removed from the city. It was well understood if they left they would be melted down and used as fodder for cannon. The Liberty Bell was removed from the city and put under the floorboards of the Zion Reformed Church in Allentown, Pa.
We too are safe in the Church and in Christ whose is our Redeemer, Liberty and Saviour.
Happy Independence Day weekend. We have prayed in the prayer for yesterday especially ", O ETERNAL God, through whose mighty power our fathers won their liberties of old; Grant... that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain these liberties in righteousness and peace.."
The word liberty in the Old Testament Scripture written on the Liberty Bell, " Proclaim liberty throughout all the land .." Leviticus 25:10 means release in the Hebrew Bible. Every 50 years was Jubilee or release and Sabbath for every one would fear God and not oppress their neighbor in this year by God's commandment. God was allowing a time or release and relief to all.
Freedom was granted to slaves during the Jubilee year. People who had been displaced could return to the family inheritance. This was an acknowledgment that God owned everything, not man.
The Liberty Bell rung at Independence Hall in 1776 was such a reminder for the colonists on July 8 as the Declaration of Independence was read. In the 1880's in the time after the US Civil War, the Liberty Bell travelled across different parts of the US to heal with its message of liberty. In 1915 it went all the way to San Francisco at the request of 500 school children. Its message of unity and liberty went all across the US westward and back to its place in Philadelphia as many stopped to visit it and look at it on its journey.
Today we celebrate liberty in our country and throughout this great weekend. What is liberty for us? What is our freedom?
The Boerne Church, ST John's had a good thought about this in their newsletter. Henri Nouwen talks about his hour in the chapel, " My hour in the chapel is more important that I can fully know myself. It is not an hour of deep prayer, nor a time in which I experience a special closeness to God.......it is full of distractions....But the simple fact of being for one hour in the presence of the Lord and of showing Him all that I think , feel, sense, and experience without trying to hide anything must please Him. ...Still the Lord speaks to me, looks at me, and embraces me there where I am....when I feel this inner pull to return again to that hidden hour of prayer, I realize that something is happening that is so deep that it becomes like the river bed through which the waters can safely flow and find their way to the open sea...."
We sing " Our Father's God to Thee, author of liberty, to thee we sing, Long may our land be bright, with freedom's holy light; Protect us by thy might, Great God our King." ...in " My Country Tis of Thee. James 1:25 " But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty , and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." The perfect law of liberty is the law of Christ where we find true freedom. " If you continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31
Our liberty is found in God and Christ alone. "
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled with the yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1 We are justified by faith alone and not the works of the law the Apostle says to the Galatians. " For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcision , but faith which worketh by love."
Freedom is bought with the precious blood of Christ, the price we could not pay. But proper freedom is expressed in love for God, each other and doing His commandments. It is not license to do whatever we want outside of the Ten Commandments and the will of God.
In October 1777, the British occupied Philadelphia. Weeks earlier all bells including the Liberty Bell were removed from the city. It was well understood if they left they would be melted down and used as fodder for cannon. The Liberty Bell was removed from the city and put under the floorboards of the Zion Reformed Church in Allentown, Pa.
We too are safe in the Church and in Christ whose is our Redeemer, Liberty and Saviour.
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