Liberty Devotion: Take Heart

Psalm 31:24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. (NIV)

 

This weekend will be both remarkable and historic, whatever our present circumstances may be. Celebrating 250 years of independence is a milestone few nations have experienced. Across the country, many people will gather with family and friends for traditional Fourth of July cookouts, complete with all the fixings—and, of course, watermelon. There will be parties, music, and the eager wait for dusk when fireworks light the sky. It promises to be a memorable occasion that many of us will cherish for years to come.

Many of us are grateful for our nation’s past, even as we recognize that the promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness has not yet been fully realized by all. The struggles for independence in 1776 and 1812 ended British control, yet the ongoing quest for equality led to the Civil War, the Suffragette movement, and the Civil Rights movement—issues that still shape American society today. We treasure freedom as a sacred and unalienable right, but we must continue working so that everyone in our nation can truly experience it.

Today’s verse from Psalm 31 offers comforting words for the future. Through faith in God, we find the strength and courage to face what lies ahead. If we place our hope in God’s guidance and remain faithful to God’s ways, we will learn how to share the gifts of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness with all people. As we pursue these blessings, God will lead us not to keep them just for ourselves, but to offer and share them with the entire world.

May God bless you and your loved ones throughout this time of celebration.

Pastor John

Liberty and Mercy - James 2:12-13

James 2:12-13 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. (NRSV)

Liberty is a big thing in the United States. Many of our folks would defend it at the cost of our lives and when we feel it is being suppressed or encroached upon, we speak out against those who are hindering or harming our right to be free. Our fierce independence is entwined with our liberty, so, therefore, it is not something to be trampled on or carelessly neglected.

However, James the brother of Jesus had a different notion about liberty because he associated it with acts of mercy. His belief as a Christian was that liberty is not the right to do what we want (that’s actually anarchy), it is a God-given, unalienable right which we should freely use to show mercy to others. In other words, because God graciously and mercifully grants us freedom, we should aspire to justly and liberally do the same.

Justice and mercy are the fruits of a free and faithful people. Liberty is not a selfish right we fiercely possess; it is a gracious gift that we as Christians should want to share. When we fail or deliberately choose not to show mercy, we place ourselves under God’s judgment, so we should be very careful about how we express our freedom. If we use it as a weapon to deny others grace, justice, and love, then we are in danger of giving God no other choice but to judge us by our own standards. So, let’s all try to live our lives as Christ once put it: ‘Blessed are the merciful for they will receive mercy.’ (Matthew 5:7)

Application: Do I use my freedom to apply mercy to others, or am I guilty of preserving my liberty solely for myself?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You purchased God’s mercy for us by dying on the Cross even though we did not deserve such a gracious blessing. You freed us from the slavery of sin and selfishness. Challenge our ideas and opinions, as well as our hearts and minds, to not only receive Your mercy but to show the same to all. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings based on the beautiful Micah 6v8 Bible verse. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Mercy.

As Free People - 1 Peter 2:16

1 Peter 2:16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. (NIV)

            Freedom is a wonderful gift which should be cherished, encouraged, and protected by people everywhere. All over the world, there are regions and nations where liberty is denied and justice is callously set aside. For freedom to be truly experienced, equality and dignity have to be made available and shared with everyone, even with those whom we disagree. Freedom does not work if people cannot express their views, opinions, or ideas. We may not agree with what people think or say, but if we choose to forcefully silence dissent or stridently suppress the opposition, then we are no longer free; instead, we are held captive to our choices and enslaved by our own prejudices.

            When the apostle Peter was writing to the newly formed Christian churches, he wanted them to personally experience the freedom that Christ had obtained for humanity through His crucifixion. They were set free from the eternal consequences of their sins, so they could now live as a free people – freed from fear and liberated from guilt – whose response to this great grace from God should have been to love and forgive one another. However, as Peter rightly cautioned those believers, they were also not to abuse their deliverance from damnation as a means of covering up evil. God had pardoned them through Jesus, but this did not mean they were now free to do what they liked or to justify their sins. It meant that they should respond by serving God faithfully, doing what He wanted, and sharing this great privilege of being forgiven.

            As we approach a great day of liberty – the 4^th of July – let’s cherish our freedom by sharing our Christian faith in the best ways that we can: accepting and forgiving one another, as well as listening to and loving each other, especially with those whom we disagree.

Point to ponder

How can I celebrate my faith and cherish freedom at the same time?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You commanded us to love God and one another. To truly practice this, we will have to overcome our loathing and despising of those whom we strongly oppose. Help us to embrace and be changed by Your commands. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is currently the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask questions about this message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s drawings called “Liberty.” If you would like to view a larger version, click this link: Liberty.