Remember the biggest sacrifice for our freedom

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The Rev. Marianne Nichols is pastor of Charlottesville United Methodist Church. THOMAS J RUSSO

For the Lord’s sake, accept the authority of every human institution, whether of the emperor as supreme, or of governors, as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

—1 Peter 2:13-17

On July 4, our country will celebrate 243 years of independence. In 1776, Americans fought the British so that we could become a new nation. Since that time, we have fought many wars and many other nations for the right to remain free.

So, what does it mean to be free? Freedom looks different for each one.

Being raised in an Air Force family, and being exposed to every branch of the military with other family members who have served, freedom to me is bathed in the blood of those who gave their lives so that I still have my liberty.

Freedom means I can say or do anything I want without fear of retribution, unless I break the law. Freedom means I can live my dream. As Americans, we have all been given the opportunity to live each of our dreams because some man or woman chose to fight for our freedom to do so.

But what about the most important man in the history of the world? What about Jesus Christ, who died for our freedom from sin? When we go to church to worship, do we remember the great sacrifice Jesus gave? Do we remember that God sent Jesus to Earth purposely to DIE? Jesus was sent to DIE … to die so that we might live freely, free from sin and death.

Sure, we might remember Jesus on Sunday morning, but what about the other six days of the week? Do we go to church at Christmas and Easter to remember Jesus’ gift and then forget him the rest of the year?

1 Peter 2 tells us we are to do right as servants of God, as free people. We are to honor everyone. We are to love the family of believers. We are to fear God. For the Lord’s sake, we are to accept the authority of every human institution, knowing that God alone placed the person in the role of leadership. For the Lord’s sake.

If we love the Lord, and work for the Lord, and serve him obediently, we will do what he asks of us.

May God lead each one of us in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake!

The Rev. Marianne Nichols is pastor of Charlottesville United Methodist Church. This weekly column is written by local clergy members.