Prelate’s Chapel by Rev. William D. Hartman, Right Eminent Grand Prelate of the Grand Encampment
H
ow often have we heard those words: “No, freedom isn’t free.” We here in the United States celebrate our Independence Day this month. Usually we do so with parades and picnics and fireworks. Hopefully, we pause to remember those who have “paid” for our independence ever since 1776. Our nation has survived and prospered because of the sacrifice of many who laid down their lives for us. No, freedom isn’t free! Yet, we are born to be free. We are reminded in Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, “For freedom, Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (5:1) Paul was not necessarily talking about physical slavery to dictators but to a higher spirituality. He was talking about our slavery to sin and death. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, the condemnation of death fell upon them. We humans were thrown into the darksome prison house of sin and death, never again to be free as children of God, but God would not have it so. God could not “go back on His Word” (“Adam, you are dust, and to dust you shall return” [Gen. 3:19]), else we could not trust Him. “So God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that through him the world might be saved.” (John 3:17) For “whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) No, our freedom is not free, but our salvation is. For all who believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, salvation is freely given. Jesus Himself paid the price! 6
july 2014