Gettysburg - Part I

My husband and I recently had the opportunity to visit Gettysburg National Military Park. Before touring the battlefield, we watched the movie in the Visitor's Center to get a brief reminder of this time in U.S. history. The country was embroiled in civil war. One of the main issues dealt with freedom of the slaves. The unity of the country hung in the balance. The film was narrated by Morgan Freeman, and near the end he said, "Freedom, like power, will always be contested."

This was a reminder to me that this is true for the spiritual life as well. We see in Isaiah 14:13-14 where Satan challenges God. "But you said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north, I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the most High." God's response to this brazen statement is to cast him out of heaven. From the very beginning of time we see Satan asserting and inserting himself in situations where he can create confusion, cause doubt, grasp for power, and try to bind us up in the grip of sin. In the Garden of Eden, he creates doubt in Eve's mind about God's instructions and the consequences of eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. She chooses to disobey God's instructions, sin enters the world, and humanity becomes enslaved to sin.

We must remember that we have freedom in Christ. Galatians 5:1 says, "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." Christ died and rose again so that we could be forgiven of our sins and live a life of freedom in Him. In verses 7-9, Paul says, "You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough." Satan wants nothing more than to hinder and bind up the believer as we run the race for Christ. Sin, if left unchecked, can permeate throughout our lives spreading destruction and binding us up with pain and guilt. Sin is a hindrance to a life of freedom. In verse 13 Paul says, "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

We should not be surprised by Satan's constant attacks on our freedom in Christ. Jesus tells us in John 10:10 that this is the enemy's very nature, and has been since the beginning of time. In this same verse, Jesus also tells us why He came, and what His desire is for His children...

"The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy. I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly." (John 10:10)

"Walk by the Spirit..." (Galatians 5:16)
"Press on toward the goal..." (Philippians 3:14)
"Walk in the newness of life." (Romans 6:4)

Be free
Run well
Live abundantly!