Memorial Day - Remembering those who died for our freedom

Let us never forget

Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. - John 15:13

The last Monday each May we in the United States of America celebrate Memorial Day. Many have barbecues, go swimming, attend parties - others treat the day more somberly, reverencing those who gave their lives to win our freedom and to preserve it. Many have made that sacrifice, from those who fought in the Revolutionary War to free America from British Rule, to those who died in the World Wars, and others in wars (allegedly) intended to prevent the spread of communism and terrorism. Tens of thousands fell on the battlefield that we might enjoy freedom and liberty. These men and women loved us and our country, and they deserve our gratitude and due tribute.

There is Another who died for our freedom and deserves our reverence. The One who stated that “Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends,” did just that. He is, as He stated, “the way, and the truth, and the life” (Jn. 14:6). If you know Him, if you know the truth, He will make you free (Jn. 8:32). You see, without Him, though you may not realize it, and despite all the freedoms we enjoy in America, you are actually a slave. You are a slave to the passions of your flesh, to the desires of your eyes, to pride - you are a slave to sin (Jn. 8:34). You can, however, have true freedom, but it only comes through Him.

I’m sure you’ve guessed by now, I am talking about the Lord Jesus Christ. Though He was the sinless Son of God, He died on a cross to reconcile us to God because of the separation our sins created. In order to receive the benefit of His sacrifice, all God requires of you is faith. To many, this seems too easy. “Don’t I have to do good deeds, or don’t my good deeds have to outbalance my sins?” Others believe they are good enough, that they are not in need of “salvation,” because “why would God condemn me? I’m a good person.”

None of us are good enough: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). All of us are deserving of death and stand condemned: “[f]or the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a), “he who does not believe the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36b).

“Ok, so I’m not good enough. But what do I have to do? It can’t really be that simple, can it?” Yes, it can. Jesus Himself said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24). Later, the apostle Paul wrote, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31) and “if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation” (Romans 10:9-10). Yes, it really is that simple.

We should never forget those who have died for us, the sacrifice they (and their families) made so that we may enjoy liberty. Likewise, we should never forget the sacrifice God made for us in sending His Son to live the sinless life we never could and to give His life that we might live.

I wish you a blessed and reflective Memorial Day!