Today Is Memorial Day

     Today is Memorial Day.  It is a time when we stop to honor those who have served in the various branches of our military to preserve the liberties we cherish in this land of liberty - the United States of America.  Especially we honor those who have given their lives, made the ultimate sacrifice, so that we can be free.  It is right to do this.  It is good to remember the cost of liberty, so that we can treasure it and not take it for granted.

     As Seventh-day Adventists we are at war.  We are part of the army of the Lord engaged in a fierce conflict against the devil and his army.  This war has been going on for over 6,000 years.  It began in heaven, for Revelation 12 tells us there was "war in heaven".  The great rebel, Lucifer who became Satan, began a relentless campaign to enslave and destroy.  Jesus, the Son of God, led the armies of heaven in casting out the liar and murderer and maintaining the liberty God want for His creation.

     This earth then became the battlefield, and the first casualty here was Abel.  He was killed because of his faith filled obedience to God.  Many others have given their lives in this ongoing war that we call "The Great Controversy Between Christ And Satan".  Hebrews 11 is a small and partial listing of these fallen "warriors of faith".

     But there is One we need to especially remember and honor because without His sacrifice, the true Ultimate Sacrifice, all would have been lost.  It is only because of the death of Jesus that we are able to enjoy the freedoms we do right now.  Without His death there would be no liberty at all, anywhere in the world or universe.  "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."  These words of Jesus found in John 8:36 remind us that the freedom we have in this country, the freedom we have in America, any freedom anywhere in the world; is only because of the death, the life, and the ongoing work of the Son of God. 

     "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."  (Romans 8:2)  "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again" (Galatians 5:1)  in the old life of sin and death. Jesus sets us free from the devil.  The life and death and ongoing work of Jesus sets us free from the slavery of Satan.  Following Jesus gives us the freedom to enjoy the life that comes in obedience to God.   "I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts." (Psalm 119:45) 

     Every seventh day, every Sabbath, is our Memorial Day.  The day God Himself set aside to remember and honor our Creator and Redeemer. )  "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." (2 Corinthians 9:15)