June 1st, 2010 
Dana Fisher As we celebrated Memorial Day this weekend I was struck by a sign outside a church I passed on my way to a cookout late Saturday afternoon. It was a small white building, typical of an older baptist style church with large front doors and a steeple that rose high above the trees. Right at the edge of street was their sign with the black plastic letters which slide in and out with a new message each week. On it it read “Freedom is not free. Thanks to those who fight for ours”.
The sign really struck me because freedom really is free. Jesus came, as is written in Isaiah, to set the captives free. Regardless of where you are living, what you have done or are doing, Jesus Christ set you free. The ironic thing is, if you look at places where you aren’t free(in the worldly sense), those places are thriving with spreading the gospel. Places like China and N. Korea have a booming underground Christianity. It’s awesome that they have come to the realization that they are indeed free, that no chain can hold them, that Jesus is their only recourse.
We are spoiled in America where we can get whatever we want, whenever we want. 5,487 U.S. soldiers have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, over 58,000 in Vietnam, over 400,000 in World War II. Each one of them died protecting our freedoms, our ability to walk down the street, to complain about cold coffee, to practice religion. It’s humbling to read those numbers and to remember the millions of soldiers who have fought and continue to fight for us, even in our selfish “me first” attitudes. To each of them I say thank you for standing up and protecting me.
I have close friends in many branches of the military, heck, I even went through the entire FBI hiring process myself, but that sign reminded me that where ever I am I am free indeed. John 15:4 says “Abide in me and I in you”. Whatever persecution you are going through, you are free in Christ Jesus. Abide in Christ and cast your burdens on Him.
Imagine the largest army you can fathom headed in your direction. Their only goal is your imminent death and you have no weapon. You sit, helpless, huddled behind a rock praying that they somehow pass over you. As the masses draw near and you know it’s only a matter of time, one man steps in front of you with the sword of God. His infinite, infallible Word on His lips, prepared to defend and die for you. He writhes in pain as He is attacked and brutalized, He is murdered at your expense. But the masses lust for blood is fulfilled. Your ransom was paid with His blood and you are set free. Free to live your life and to make choices, whether they be good or bad.
Many men and women have made that choice to die for their country and their fellow man and this weekend we celebrated their honor and commitment. You have the choice to be continually free in Jesus. Your eternal freedom is free now, because one man stood up and took your penalty. All you have to do is accept it.
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