Did you know that the Bible has a lot to say about the subject of freedom and liberty?
When I think about the 4th of July an interesting fact comes to mind. Did you know that the Liberty Bell was not rung in 1776 to commemorate the declaration of independence? It actually had nothing to do with the Revolution!
In fact, the Liberty Bell was installed in Philadelphia in 1753 and was in perfect working order for 85 years until it cracked in 1835. Abolitionists nicknamed the bell "Liberty" four years later and it referred to the abolition of slavery not the Revolutionary War.
Now in an interesting turn of events, in 1970, the Procrastinators' Club of America demanded a tongue in cheek overdue refund for the Liberty Bell from England's White Chapel Foundry. They wanted a refund for 2 reasons: 1. Because it had cracked and 2. Because they misspelled "Pennsylvania" on the Liberty Bell. Do you know what the company's response was? Believe it or not, they kindly offered a full refund—provided that it could be returned in its original packaging!
I think most realize that we've been given great freedom and liberty. But did you know that your Bible has a lot to say about this subject? Jesus himself said that he came to "proclaim liberty to the captives" and "set at liberty those who are oppressed" (Luke 4:18 NKJV).
We've all been captive and oppressed by sin. Yet, we are so blessed to have been given the "perfect law of liberty" that can help free us from the bondage of sin.
So next time you hear the word "liberty", remember God's perfect law of liberty and let it ring true in your life.
For GN Magazine, I'm Steve Myers.
