Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, which declared freedom for slaves across the United States. However, it took some time for the news to reach all parts of the country. In Galveston Bay, Texas, the enslaved people did not learn about their freedom until Union Soldiers arrived and announced the executive order. This significant event occurred on June 19, 1865, and is now commemorated as Juneteenth. According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, over 250,000 slaves were emancipated on that day.
As we celebrate Juneteenth, we are reminded of the high cost of freedom as an estimated 620,000 lives were lost in the Civil War.
This freedom should unite us—NOT divide us!
This is especially true for Christians. Indeed, for ALL who are believers in Christ, we are united by the PERFECT and ETERNAL spiritual freedom afforded us in Christ. CHRIST was willing to give His life for the sins of EVERY person of EVERY race. He offers true freedom to everyone through His gift of salvation.
Our UNITY in CHRIST is more essential than our ethnic or cultural identity and more vital than our socio-political views; Jesus crosses all man-made chasms and unifies us in Himself.
Of how Christ eliminates the barriers, Paul wrote:
“Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called uncircumcision by what is called the circumcision made in the flesh by hands— that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.
And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”
Ephesians 2:11-22
While the freedom granted by the U.S. government in 1863 has been flawed and incomplete, there is a profound reason for all of us to rejoice in the PERFECT freedom from the chains of sin that enslave every human being. From the moment we are born, we are bound by the enslavement of sin. However, when we are born again, we are set free and may celebrate the true freedom that comes through Christ. Jesus paid the ultimate price as the atoning sacrifice to emancipate all individuals from the grip of sin.
The liberation of our soul from sin is the only perfect freedom we experience.
Jesus gloriously proclaimed,
“If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
John 8:36
When we are born again, God releases us from shame, guilt, and eternal penalty of sin and—our soul and spirit are forever free!
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
To learn more about Kimberly Faith and the mission of Faith Strong, click HERE.
Out Now – Essential Faith, Volume II. Find it on Amazon by clicking HERE.
To learn more about Kimberly Faith’s ministry Fostering By Faith, click HERE.
2 Responses
Amen
Amen we all the same inChrist He see no color.