Bought With a Price

“…To the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
Ephesians 1:6-8

Over the course of the American Revolutionary War, the war in which we Americans gained our independence from Great Britain it is estimated that between 25,000 and 50,000 American revolutionaries lost their lives. During the American Civil War an estimated 360,000 Union soldiers lost their lives in a conflict that would bring an end to slavery in the American South. God some 2000 years ago took on the form of man and in the ultimate battle over sin and death, Jesus the Christ allowed himself to be crucified at the hand of sinful man. His sacrifice, frees all who believe in him from an eternity separated from God.

For those of us blessed to live in the free world, the price for that freedom was great. Paid for with the blood of soldiers, a sacrifice that made a way for us to live the lives we do. Even as I write this, sacrifices are still being made so that we can continue to be free and that others might become free. Today, the sacrifice of the cross still offers eternal freedom.

So that none of these sacrifices are in vain, we must live life to the fullest taking advantage of our freedom to serve one another - to love each other with our whole hearts. We in the free world have the privilege to worship the One who makes us eternally free, may we do so with our whole heart.

Today and everyday remember freedom was bought and the price that was paid was unimaginably high - so give thanks to those who have gone before and support those who are paying the price still.

A Prayer
Father - Thank you for the sacrifice of Your Son, so that we can have eternal freedom. Thank you for the men and women who have sacrificed their lives so that we can live free in this world today. Help us to live lives worthy of all the sacrifices that have been made for us. Be with those who are still fighting for freedom even now - keep them safe, grant them courage. In the name of Jesus, Amen.