We have just returned from a visit with our daughter in Philadelphia. For one full day we walked through the city and took in some of the sites. We even stopped in to see the original Liberty Bell. As I read the history of the bell I thought it was ironic that the bell which rang to mark our freedom from England had actually been made in England about 25 years before the Declaration of Independence was signed. We are familiar with the famous crack in the bell. An initial crack had been repaired soon after the bell was put into service. This widened one year in the early 1800's when the bell was being rung to celebrate George Washington's birthday and, unfortunately, the bell was then beyond repair. Despite the crack and retirement of the bell from service it remained a symbol of freedom that later became the trademark for the movement to liberate our slaves and then the campaign to give our women the right to vote. I thought about the freedom of our country and how it started as a great ideal but then has taken centuries to extend to all our people. Just like the Liberty Bell there have been some "cracks" in our country as it has worked out its purpose. We are something like the Liberty Bell. We who have trusted in Christ for our spiritual and eternal freedom are assured of our citizenship in Heaven, the only true land of complete freedom. Nonetheless, as we live out our days we have "cracks" in our framework and we don't always ring with a true sound. We can recall the time when we came into faith and our bell rang out loud and clear, however, and the presence of the Holy Spirit is like the Liberty Bell. He reminds us, by His continual presence and help, of the reality of our liberation from the tyranny of sin. We are not perfect but the One who has come to us and saved us is perfect and will complete our freedom.
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
blessings,
Rob Smith
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