Devotions From Calvary: Liberty and Freedom
By Pastor Greg A. Steinke
As you travel southward between New Jersey and New York in the Upper Bay of New York Harbor, you will pass by what is called Ellis Island. There, countless immigrants would make their way into the United States with excitement and anticipation to begin a new life in a new country. Yet, as you travel past Ellis Island, you come to an icon of our country, the Statue of Liberty.
The Statue of Liberty, which was given to the United States by France as a gift, now stands tall for all to view from a great distance. It was their token of thanks, a gesture of friendship as we united hand in hand with them during the Revolutionary War, becoming tight knit allies for one another. Though the statue was a gift, America took up the quest to create and fund the base on which she stands.
Today, it is still a rising symbol of our country and what we stand for. It is a powerful display of who we are and what we offer as a country. Freedom, liberty, and equality for all men is our motto. Though our flag stands for devotion and honor, this massive three-hundred-and-five-foot Statue of Liberty symbolizes every attribute of our country, and it still rings loud and proclaims freedom. Freedom from tyranny, freedom from slavery, freedom from bondage in every imagination. Though we admire our Statue of Liberty and within ourselves are quite proud to display it and speak of her as our symbol, there is a greater symbol that even bellows and echoes out a greater freedom and a powerful form of liberty that our country cannot give.
Scripture reveals a freedom and liberty for all men that goes beyond the boundaries of our earthly country and into the realm of a city and country not built with man’s hands, but a city built of God. Abraham was a man who completely relied on God, and his faith was counted unto him in righteousness, speaks of this in the Book of Hebrews. This freedom was not cheap, as in our country, our freedom cost lives. Yet, the freedom and liberty that goes beyond the borders, beyond the invisible state lines, and a freedom that does not need a congress to pass, or a bill to be enacted, is the freedom by which Jesus Christ offers.
Scripture tells us by the very words of Christ Himself in the Book of John 12:32, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” The greatest symbol of freedom and liberty is what every man and any man can receive through the highly lifted cross of Christ. Christ offers freedom from the bondage and strong hold of sin. Freedom from the punishment of our sin, freedom for the penalty of our sin, and even freedom from the penetrating darkness of the grave. For those who come to Christ, those who fully understand the price paid for our freedom and our liberty that goes beyond this world and into the next, can receive it. The price for this freedom cannot be purchased in any way, shape, or form, but has been paid by the Cross of Christ and His sacrifice.
Just as thousands upon thousands have signed the document on Ellis Island to receive freedom to live in this country, when we come to Christ in salvation, He signs our name down for us that we might have eternal freedom with Him.
May God Bless You – Pastor Greg
Pastor Greg A. Steinke
Calvary Baptist Church
1045 Monroe Concord Rd.
Troy, Ohio 45373
Office: 937-335-3686
Service Times:
Sunday
Men’s Prayer Meeting - 8:45 a.m.
Sunday School - 9:30 a.m.
Morning Worship - 10:30 a.m.
Evening Worship - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday Night
Prayer Meeting and Bible Study - 6:30 p.m.
Kids4Truth Club - 6:15 p.m.