There is Freedom

When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross (Philippians 2:8, NLT).

In college I spent a couple of summers in Washington D.C. as part of an American Red Cross Youth Leadership program. I learned a lot of valuable skills, met student-athletes from across the country, and was taught how to run a blood drive on my college campus.

It was also the first time I’d traveled to Washington D.C., so visiting some of the national monuments was a highlight of the trip. The most memorable for me was the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery.

The daily ceremony is a symbol of remembrance for those unidentified individuals who lost their lives in service to their country. It’s a sobering reminder: everything comes at a cost.

We live in a free country because others fought. Because others sacrificed. 

A friend recently traveled for mission work, and after being out of the United States of America for less than 24 hours he said: “I thought I’d seen poverty, but I’ve never seen anything like this.” 

We live in a world where we often take for granted the freedoms we enjoy. Food, clothing, shelter. Those are guarantees for many of us, but for some, they are scarcities.  

Because of the fall in the Garden of Eden, we will never experience a world without danger, evil, darkness, and trouble. Jesus promised us this in John 16:33:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 

But thankfully we don’t serve a God who leaves us to our own sinfulness. When Jesus said “I have overcome the world”, He is referring to His ultimate sacrifice. 

Paul wrote in Philippians 2:6-8 that because of Jesus, there is freedom from death, sin, fear, guilt, condemnation, and all the troubles that plague us daily.

“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.” 

Jesus’ death does not remove the difficulties of this life. But it does guarantee that we can receive the free gift of salvation. Not accomplished by our efforts, but solely by the sacrifice of Jesus. Our sins, past, present, and future, were taken and forgiven on the cross. 

When I think about what it means to be free here on Earth, I picture the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. When I think about what it means to be free for eternity, I picture the cross of Jesus Christ. And boy, I am so thankful that there is freedom in both.