Remember

Sacrifice is a key concept of the Scriptures, and on this day after Memorial Day, on which we remember the sacrifices that those who have served in the U.S. Military have made for this country, I think it's important to remember that they have given their lives for a cause bigger than themselves...and to reflect on our Savior, who gave His life so that He might redeem fallen humanity. Hebrews 10 states:
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me.
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure.
7 Then I said, 'Behold, I have come-- In the volume of the book it is written of Me-- To do Your will, O God.' "

In the Old Testament, there was a system of sacrifices that God established, to provide a reminder of the sinfulness of the people and their need for God.  But, ultimate atonement did not come until Jesus laid down His life as the perfect sacrificial Lamb, slain, as the Bible says, "for the sins of the world."  Because Jesus died, we can be free from the power of sin and the power of death.

A recent Crosswalk.com article highlighting some aspect of Memorial Day reminds us of the freedoms that we have as Americans, freedoms that those who have served were willing to fight for and to die for.  One of those freedoms, according to the piece by Elizabeth Delaney, is "Freedom of Religion." She writes:

This country was founded on the right of each citizen to choose and practice their religious preference freely. In fact, many of the colonies that formed an alliance in 1776 to begin forming the United States of America were fleeing Europe because of religious persecution, according to the Library of Congress. Therefore, freedom of religion is guaranteed by the First Amendment. It also protects a person's right to explore the deep questions in life, publicly live out what they believe in a peaceful manner, and protects a person from being threatened or harassed for living out what they believe, according to Alliance Defending Freedom.

Another freedom is "Freedom of Speech," about which she writes: "While this is often connected with a person's freedom to speak their mind regarding politics, it also applies to religion. In America, the First Amendment protects our right to talk openly about Jesus anytime and anywhere."  She adds:

People can also pray publicly, whether that's in a restaurant over their meal, while standing on the street, walking through a park, at sporting events, or wherever they happen to be. Students are allowed to pray in school when it’s student-led. Most other countries around the world don't get to enjoy this freedom.

Other freedoms that she highlights are freedoms "to Assemble" and "to Choose Our Leaders." 

She also notes that "Our Military Protects Our Country," writing:

If it weren't for our military, we wouldn't get to enjoy living in a land that's free and safe from the invasion of foreign powers. Our military fights on our behalf so that we can live a peaceful life, work toward our dreams, and enjoy obtaining whatever our personal American dream happens to be. Our veterans deserve our gratitude, and they deserve to be honored for the sacrifices they make on behalf of the rest of the nation. While America may not be perfect, there's a reason more people are trying to become American citizens rather than leaving America.

In addition, as Delaney points out, states are free "to Make Autonomous Decisions."  

She also recognized recent developments, including a commission established by President Trump to defend and preserve the First Amendment right of freedom of religion.  The White House also maintains an office that is devoted to supporting faith expressions. 

This is an incredible tapestry of freedoms we enjoy as Americans - I believe these are gifts of God in a nation that has been established on principles that are consistent with the Bible.  And, those who have served in our military, through their sacrifices, have been used of God to preserve the freedoms that have been established. 

We have been granted incredible freedom in Jesus Christ, and those have been acquired for us because of His willingness to lay down His life and the unselfish act of experiencing brutality and death for us.  That freedom came with a cost. 

On this day after Memorial Day, as Christians, we can be grateful for what Jesus has done for us. And, for the freedoms we have as Americans, too.  We now have the capacity to lay down our lives, recognizing that, as Galatians 2 says, we have been crucified with Christ, but we live because Christ lives in us.  We can humble ourselves before the Lord and be willing to serve Him and others because of the deep love that He has shown.