Once again we have been reminded of the sacrifices the men and women in the armed services have made in our history so that this nation might be free. The years of youth sped quickly away as these defenders of freedom gave of their all for their homes, for their families, for their country. Yet they willingly offered themselves on the altar of warfare so that you and I could be free. Their sacrifice was not in vain, nor was it founded on that which was false. The Scriptures clearly reveal that the desire to be free is a Divine principle that God places in the thinking of mankind. But the cost of freedom is great for the Adversary seeks to enslave humanity. Where there is a lack of freedom the gospel message is hindered and often suppressed. Lest we forget! Yes, the greatest sacrifice of all was made some two thousand years ago as the God of heaven and earth took upon Himself humanity so that He might accomplish salvation and reconcile man to God. We are living in a time in history in which the Cross and the Christ of the Cross are objects of disdain, objects of blasphemy and common verbiage in profanity. That so many seem to take lightly the sacrifice of love by the Lord Jesus does not diminish in any way the value that God the Father places on the Person and Work of Christ. Paul expresses that value magnificently in his letter to the Philippians --
… “wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”(Phil 2:9-11)
The finished work of redemption guarantees an eternal destiny with the Lord to all who place their faith and trust in the Savior. We must never forget the price that He paid on our behalf that we might be made the sons of God through faith in Him. The lyrics of a hymn by Jennie Evelyn Hussey express that very truth.
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.
May we have increased appreciation for those whose lives and deaths have provided us the freedoms that we possess in our nation. And far greater, may we value the spiritual freedom that is ours, courtesy of the Lord Jesus Christ.