June 19, 1865....Freedom from the sin of slavery FINALLY reached Texas and many southern states. Two years of unnecessary and illegal bondage as sin continued to proliferate. Sin condoned and freedom ignored. Two hundred and fifty years later and freedom is still not equal-opportunity because sin still reigns in our hearts of stone!While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days. (Acts 10:44-48)
Yet in Christ we can have true freedom and experience true brotherhood, if as Peter called people then, we today answer the call to true repentance (and baptism) to Christ and His Body, the Church.
How long do you and I suffer for no reason today in the grip and chains of sin? How often do we allow society and culture to imprison our heats and minds? Nearly two thousand years ago Jesus declared us free from the grip of sin, yet we choose its prison walls.
I remind us all today of our calling to true freedom and brotherhood . . . not by association of race, color, culture, ethnicity, heritage or politics, but rather through our identity in the blood of Jesus Christ! His blood "trumps" everything!
Take a bold step and embrace the freedom Christ offers.......Jesus FREES Us!
Not a slogan.....an answer!
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