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By Rev Don Rivers
This weekend we celebrate the unofficial beginning of summer, Memorial Day. Will we take time and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom? Will we stop and reflect that our life has been given to us because someone gave their life for us; those who paid the cost. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Freedom Isn’t Free is the title of a poem written to recall the memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the giving of their lives. Their willingness to lay down their lives secures for us freedom. Freedom to do whatever we enjoy doing. For many of us that means the pursuit of racing.
Have you ever thought what this country would look like without those willing to pay the cost? Would there even be racing, as we know it? On any given weekend we can choose where we go to watch a race. We can choose where we race. If you don’t like going to a certain track you can choose another. We have the freedom of choice. That is not something to take lightly.
Stop and think of all the choices we can make in our life and then think of some of the other nations in the world who don’t have the same options. The difference is freedom. The founders of our country decided to organize on the foundation of God and release us from oppression. We have fought for over 200 years to maintain that, not only for us but also for other nations and peoples of the world. We were willing to pay the cost.
It was set in place with these words;
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Look at the list that spells our freedom, Justice, Peace, Defense, Life, Liberty and Posterity. These freedoms are defended for us by those willing to lay down their lives and pay the cost required to establish and maintain that. We enjoy that freedom every day.
God also offers us freedom. He made a life available for us of abundance and freedom. We can choose if we are going to accept that life. Jesus said…
John 10:10; The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Paul adds in Galatians…
Galatians 5:1; It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Jesus came and gave His life as a sacrifice so that we could know the abundant and free life that God has offered us. Not unlike those who have fought for our country’s freedom so that we can enjoy an abundant and free life. For us to experience freedom it costs someone something.
Think of a race team. Some are funded well and some are run on a shoestring. It doesn’t matter; to be able to race someone pays. Someone’s hard work earns the money we receive to pay the cost of preparing our car and team to race. We are able to race because someone else paid the price. The situation is the same whether it is our hard work or someone else’s hard work, to race someone pays. Someone pays the cost.
For us to have freedom as a country many men and women paid the cost with their lives. They made the ultimate sacrifice for the good of others. They gave their lives. Likewise, Jesus gave His life so that we might have life.
Philippians 2:6-10; NLT; Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
The lives that were given for us secured our freedom. Jesus Christ gave His life for us to save us from death and destruction. The American soldier gave theirs so that we can live in a country founded on God’s moral standard and allows us to live freely.
Let me ask a question, do you enjoy your freedom as an American? If you do take the time to say thank you to those who have made it possible.
Let me ask another, do you want to experience an abundant and free life that only comes from knowing Jesus Christ as your Savior? He gave His life to give us that opportunity, accept it and free yourself from the burden of sin.
Freedom isn’t free. It cost someone, something. Be thankful there are those who were willing to pay the cost for our freedom. Honor them. Thank them. Remember them.
John 3:16-17; “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 15:13; There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Run the race in such a way as to win, throw off everything that hinders and focus on Jesus. Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.
