The American Colonists were battling their fellow Americans due to a clash of ideology. Tories sided with the British during the eight years of the Revolutionary War in which 6,800 casualties occurred. Many more died in prisons and some were never found.
Ninety years later, during a battle which occurred over a three-day period in Adams County, Pennsylvania, an estimated 50,000 Americans died. Families fighting one another! Both sides wanted the same outcome – freedom! When hate and divisiveness exist among us, there is no freedom.
Every American can claim “Freedom!” But that doesn’t mean all are set free. All can claim being created equal under the U.S. Constitution, but not all can claim being set free.
The Bible describes a unique freedom: “In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and He answered by setting me free. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 118:5- 6)
Would the Lord be with you charging into battle at Gettysburg? Many were probably scared. Some were believing they’d survive. Some may have trusted Jesus, possibly thinking of David and Goliath (I Samuel 17).
They may have gone into battle believing, “For God has not given us a Spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (II Timothy 1:7). Some knew they would die that day. What would you be thinking and feeling?
Jesus once said to His disciples, “Do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
We will all die someday. All who died for freedom in 1776 either went to heaven or hell. Many died without Jesus! All those 50,000 men who died fighting at Gettysburg did so for an earthly cause. They went to heaven or hell.
There are only two possible directions at death. You will spend eternity in heaven or in hell! Which way will you go?
Jesus wants to set you free: free from the fear of death, free from the guilt and burden of sin, free from the fear of God, even free from the worries of life.
If you are an American citizen, the Constitution of the United States of America gives you freedom as you live and breathe. That will end someday.
Jesus can give you the freedom that lasts into eternity. He wants to set you free!
God says this to you: “Cease striving and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:10).