If you are a citizen of the United States of America, you are a citizen of the grandest
country on earth! There is no other country that enjoys the blessed freedoms of
America. Throngs clamor from around the world to the shores of freedom in America.
People hazard their lives to get to America and the freedom that here awaits them.
Yes, indeed, this is America the home of the brave and the land of the free.
The
Freedom which we all enjoy in this great land was not secured without great sacrifice
and cost. The lives and reputations and fortunes of men and women have been laid
down to bring freedom. Freedom has been purchased with the blood of our ancestors
who valiantly braved all for freedom’s sweet enjoyment. It behooves us, as Americans
enjoying the fruit of their investments, to remember the high price of freedom and
esteem those highly whose heroic exploits made it possible. I am thankful to be
an American!
The great freedoms of America are something to be thankful for, and
yet, there is a still greater freedom which we must concern ourselves with - freedom
of the soul. Freedom of the soul is to be set free from the tyranny of the flesh
and the penalty of its treason against God. The bible says that, “all have sinned
and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). This sin is rebellion against the
authority of God. The penalty for such rebellion is stated in Romans 6:23, “the
wages of sin is death,” and in Ezekiel 18:4, “the soul that sinneth, it shall die.”
Death, physical and spiritual is the penalty for sin against God. Spiritual death
is eternity in hell, “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is
the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast
into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:14-151. We have broken God’s law by sin and therefore
deserve to die and spend eternity in hell.
However, God in His mercy and by His
love has provided a way for us to be made “free from the law of sin and death” (Rom
8:2) How? By Christ, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made
me FREE from the law of sin and death.”
This freedom of the soul, like our freedom
in America, was not provided without sacrifice and price. However, this freedom
could not be affected by anything that man himself could do. No amount of good works,
religious activity, or personal bravado could secure the freedom of salvation, “For
by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift
of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9) and “Not by works
of righteousness which we have done ...“ (Titus 3:5).
The freedom from the law of
sin and death could only be secured by the laying down of Christ’s life and the
shedding of His blood on our behalf! “But God commendeth His love toward us, in
that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). “For He bath made
Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of
God in Him.” (II Cor. 5:211. The Lord Jesus Christ died in our place, shed His blood
for our sins, and rose again for our salvation (freedom). This He did for YOU. Just
as you enjoy the freedom of America made available by those who paid the price,
you can now enjoy the freedom of salvation made possible by the One Who paid its
price - the Lord Jesus Christ. The freedom of salvation can only be received as
a FREE GIFT from God. The Bible says, “for whosoever shall call upon the Name of
the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:13). “If the Son therefore shall make you free,
ye shall be free INDEED” (John 8:36). Would you like to know the freedom physically
and spiritually? To have the wonderful privilege to live in America now and in Heaven
someday? You can! If you will trust Jesus Christ as your Savior you can have this
glorious freedom.
If you would like to be saved (freed from the penalty of your
sin) sincerely pray to God something like, “Dear God, I know that I am a sinner
unable and undeserving of heaven. But, I believe that Jesus Christ died for me and
shed His blood for my sins and rose again for my salvation, I now trust the Lord
Jesus Christ as my Savior asking Him to forgive my sins and save my soul. Thank
you Lord for loving me and thank you Lord for saving me by Your grace. Please give
me the power to live for you. Amen.”
If you have just received Jesus Christ as your
Savior you have eternal life upon the authority of God’s word! You should let someone
know of your decision to receive Christ as Savior. You may contact the church listed
on this leaflet or you may contact me at 5542 Perry Highway., Erie, PA 16509 (814)
866-4747.
Congratulations! “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ
bath made us free...”(Gal. 5:1).