Liberty

This past week we celebrated Veteran’s Day, which was a time where we say thank you to all the men and women who have worn the uniform and fought to make and keep us free. The selfless bravery of these people brings liberty to people like me. I have never served in the armed forces, but I am free today because of the ones who have.

I am so thankful for the veterans of this great nation for all that they have done for me. But there was another person whose selfless sacrifice has set me free. Jesus received His orders from the Father and He carried them out. Jesus laid down His life on the cross on that first D Day—the day of Defeat for the Devil. And even though I will not face the cross, I can still be counted as free because of the One who did.

Galatians 5:1 tells us to “stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” No American would give away the liberty that he enjoys, and no Christian should either. If Jesus has set you free, then stand fast in that liberty! 

Casey Anthony

Just a few minutes after midnight on Sunday morning, Casey Anthony left jail as a free woman. The protestors holding signs and yelling at her are not the only upset people; across the world people have been demanding to know how this could have happened.

On July 5^th, after only a few hours of deliberation, the jury came back with their decision. On the count of 1^st degree murder of her two year old daughter, they found Casey not guilty. She was also found not guilty on the lesser charges of aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter.

No matter what you think of Casey or her case, there was something profound that happened in that Orlando courtroom. We will probably never know the details of how her daughter died, but we do know that Casey was involved, at least in the cover up and hiding of the body (her defense admitted as much in their opening remarks). So this women who did something terrible was declared not guilty, and she can never be punished for those crimes.

As believers, we might get upset and think justice has not been served. But we need to stop and remind ourselves how that is exactly what God has done for us. We were so obviously guilty, but because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, we may be declared not guilty on all charges, and we can never be punished for those crimes.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Romans 8:1

(Read Part 2)