Greater Love

Monday, May 30, 2022 

The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot.  Proverbs 10:7 

Greater Love

Sacrifice. The surrender of something for the sake of something else. Every sacrifice takes a greater love than we possess on our own. It is the kind of love our Heavenly Father gave to us in the sacrifice of His son, Jesus. His shed blood bought our freedom from sin, death, and hell, and replaced them all with salvation and promised eternal life. 

Today is the official Memorial Day holiday, the last Monday of May.  Many people see it as just a 3-day weekend, a time for cookouts and parties. But for those who have lost someone because of war or military action, it means much more than a day off. Every American ought to recognize this day in honor of those who spilled their blood to make America what she is today-free, strong, and a nation worth fighting for. 

I cannot help but think that this Memorial Day freedom means a lot more to us because our freedom has been compromised in the last couple of years. These events have brought a new perspective on how much freedom we really have when just a little is taken.  It stings.  We are blessed in America and we are blessed because of those who fought to give us what we have – precious freedom.

True Patriotism

Merriam Webster defines patriot as “one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests.”  Note the first key phrase: “One who loves…” Patriotism is an expression of LOVE. Love calls us to sacrifice, and who has sacrificed more than the American Soldier? John 15:13 says, “No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.”

·         In just over two-hundred years more than one million men and women have given their lives opposing tyranny and defending the helpless and oppressed. 

·         These patriots have freely and valiantly sacrificed their lives upon the altar of freedom for you and for me.

Because men and women have died for this country, we have the right to 
preach God’s word freely; to live at peace in our own homes. 
We have the right to pursue peace, prosperity and happiness.

The cost of freedom is blood. 

On Memorial Day we give thanks for sacrifice. All the heroic acts on battlefields throughout history have made our country what it is today. We enjoy freedom and wealth that are unequaled. Our freedom and our luxuries have come and been maintained at a great price.  All of us are not called upon to die heroically or sacrificially.  We should never be ashamed that we are alive, yet many abuse the liberty we have received by selfish indulgence on pleasures that weaken the moral strength of this great nation.

The Freedom the Cross Bought

Every day we enjoy and take for granted the freedoms that soldiers have bought with their blood.  But we also have another freedom that was bought with blood.  The person responsible for giving us this freedom didn’t wear fatigues; he wore a crown of thorns. He won the war against Satan and sin for us with His shed blood on Calvary. He waged war and fought for us and because of His sacrifice we can be free from the bondage of sin and an eternal prison in hell.  

So on this Memorial Day remember the soldiers who have fought in wars over the years.  Think about the way you live, what you have, and what freedoms you enjoy.  We are a blessed nation.  We don’t realize how blessed we are because we do not know any different.  Today, and every day, remember those who sacrificed to give this to you and your family.  Don’t take it for granted.  Many lost their lives so we can live as we do.  

Thank God for your freedom and thank Him for the sacrifice of His son.  Thank Him for freedom from sin and for the gift of everlasting life.  

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1