Even A Bit Beaten Up, ‘Old Glory’ Still Flies Proudly

Born on the 4^th of July, I became a Yankee doodle dandy by default. That is, if you accuse me of being a red, white and blue-bleeding, unapologetic patriot, de fault is with my mom who gave birth to me on that day.

Sighting an American flag flowing in the breeze has always thrilled me. Hearing the “Star-Spangled Banner,” “God Bless America,” and John Philip Sousa marching tunes like “Stars and Stripes Forever” puff up my chest with pride. When Lee Greenwood sings, “God Bless the U.S.A.,” and declares he’s “proud to be an American,” I know what he means.

 

Fireworks, with their brilliant explosions of light and thundering booms, provide a fitting way for marking the anniversary of our nation’s birth as an independent nation. From its inception, the United States of America has been unique, the envy of many around the world. I don’t think that’s a bad thing.

 

Growing up, I didn’t know of anyone being ashamed about their American citizenry. Independence Day was a day of celebration for just about everybody. But somewhere along the line, things changed. It’s often been said, “United we stand, divided we fall,” and factions exist today that seem determined to capitalize on division. Whether it’s the dysfunctional discord that currently infests the halls of Congress, anti-American rants on college campuses, or social media diatribes that amplify the flaws of our imperfect land, we often seem a far cry from “one nation under God.”

As my patriotic fervor builds for yet another Independence Day, it’s accompanied with a growing sense of sadness. Yes, the USA has its flaws – as has every nation throughout history. That’s because it’s made up of broken, sinful people. But even with its blemishes, our country remains a destination point for many people, not somewhere from which to flee.

 

Freedom has been a hallmark of our nation; contrary to naysayers and critics, I believe in many respects its citizens have never been more free. Rights to free speech, worship, the press, assembly, keep and bear arms, a fair trial and many others are extended to us, guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and other amendments added through the years. The founders of the United States demonstrated uncanny foresight in the crafting of those documents.

 

These treasured freedoms have come under attack, but they remain worth fighting for and protecting. On this Independence Day, as with all the others we’ve observed through the decades, we remember the countless thousands who gave their lives so that we might be free to live as we choose.

 

At the same time, I can’t forget the even greater freedom we have been offered, one that carries no national banners or boundaries. In Galatians 5:1 we’re reminded,“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”

 

This slavery isn’t a reference to the inhumane form of bondage that has existed through most of history all around the world. Or even the practice that finally was abolished in the United States by the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. No, it’s even worse – the universal, spiritual slavery described by the apostle Paul in the New Testament book of Romans:

“For we know that our old self was crucified with [Christ] so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin – because anyone who has died has been freed from sin…. Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey – whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin…you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness” (Romans 6:6-18).

 

Today there are those who would debate how “free” our freedoms of speech, worship, the press, or owning guns should be. But as followers of Jesus Christ, we have the assurance that our freedom from sin has been achieved: “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:22-23).

 

The United States, in my opinion, is the greatest country in the world, even with all of its warts. But I know this is only a temporary home and my ultimate allegiance must be elsewhere: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). One day I will join with many family members, friends, and countless people I’ve never met to celebrate a very different kind of “independence day,” a glorious celebration that will never end. 

Free at Last – Truly Free!

Twice recently I’ve heard radio commentators talk about the initial effects of the Emancipation Proclamation, signed by Abraham Lincoln on Jan. 1, 1863, to abolish slavery and set free more than three million men, women and children. Both speakers observed that ironically, even though the executive order legally emancipated those enslaved, many didn’t take immediate advantage of their freedom.

Two primary reasons for the delay were 1) news of the proclamation traveled slowly in those days, and 2) some slaves either could not believe their good fortune or were so accustomed to living in enslavement, they at first opted to remain as they had been for many years.

The latter circumstance – failure to act on their new freedom – reminded me of a dilemma many of us confront as followers of Jesus Christ. We receive Jesus as Savior, understanding our sins past, present and future are forgiven, yet seem unable to rid ourselves of the bondage of sinful behavior we’ve practiced for so long.

In Jesus Christ, to use the words of
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we are
"free at last"!

If you question the comparison of human servitude to being controlled by sin, consider Galatians 5:1, which asserts, “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.”

Some of us remember the humorous excuse Flip Wilson’s character, “Geraldine,” often offered: “The devil made me do it!” We find ourselves making the same justification, without attempting to be funny. If we believe the Scriptures, however, we find the devil might suggest – but can’t make us do anything. Nearly the entire sixth chapter of Romans addresses this spiritual reality:

“For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin” (Romans 6:6).

“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires” (Romans 6:11-12).

“For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14).

This wonderful chapter goes on to make an even more explicit correlation:

“Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey – whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness…. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness” (Romans 6:16-18).

“When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness…. But now that you have been set free from sin and have becomes slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:22-23).

I’ve wrestled with anger and anxiety for much of my life. I didn’t always understand that in Christ I’m free from those and other sins. We all have our “besetting sins” – mine might not be yours, and yours might not be mine – but the promise of the Scriptures is that through the life of Jesus Christ in us, we no longer need to be dominated or controlled by them, no matter what they are.

Like the slaves unaware they had been freed, or those for whom slavery had become so familiar they couldn’t comprehend a life of freedom, we too can continue yielding to the ever-present influence of sin. But we don’t have to; one of the wonders of being reconciled to God through Christ is a new freedom –being made free to become all God intends for us to be.

We’re familiar with the famous words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in his speech, “I Have a Dream”: “Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, we are free at last!” What a wonderful goal for all people.

Through Jesus, when confronted with temptation and enduring sinful habits, we no longer must submit to them. Regardless of the color of our skin, gender, age or social standing, we too can truly and wholeheartedly declare that – from sin – we are, “Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, we are free at last!”