Let…”US”…Celebrate….Who…”WE”…Are…In…HIM
Twins. That’s what we were. Twins, and not triplets. No, most definitely not triplets, but twins; yet what caused us to be twins? Did we share DNA? Yes, but not exact DNA as twins do. So again—what caused us to be twins? Simply it began with our shirts. Brielle said, “You got on the same shirt.” For a small child, that sameness, our shared shirt decision, made us “the same,” and she thought that was funny.
My sister and I were attending a 4th of July gathering, and when she arrived to the party, we were, in fact, (twins) in our choice of holiday t-shirt.
Let’s get a glimpse of this popular t-shirt that two girls, two sisters, would both select it to wear to an Independence Day celebration (one that also doubled as Miss Brielle’s birthday party).
Faded Red in color. Check.
Soft material. Check. Check.
Lightweight. Check. Check. Check.
Important slogan. Check. Check. Check. Check.
So what “Slogan” could be printed and pressed upon the front of a 4th of July t-shirt and cause two sisters to make the purchase for their holiday attire?
“One Nation Under God.”
A single line from our nation’s pledge.
A single line that some wish to strike out of the pledge.
A single line that caused me to WANT to wear this particular t-shirt with these particular words emblazoned across the front.
ONE
NATION
UNDER
GOD!!!
In the book of Revelation, the apostle John wrote of the revelation God revealed sharing what the last days will comprise. It is there, in God’s revelation, we find these words—
“After these things I looked [the apostle John looked], and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands, and they cry out with a loud voice, saying,…
(Revelation 7:9)
The words of Revelation show us great truth, especially on this 4th of July, when we (Americans) like to celebrate our nation and our freedom and our independence. Even though it is so important to be proud of one’s nation & one’s freedom & one’s independence, the words found within Revelation 7:9 clearly show how heaven will not be just for one solitary nation, but for many.
And heaven will be filled with a large crowd, a INNUMERABLE MULTITUDE.
A multitude filled with people from not just one nation, but from EVERY NATION.
And heaven will not only be filled with people from the many nations, but the Bible states that we will gather with people who will come from ALL TRIBES, ALL PEOPLES & ALL TONGUES.
If that image is not cool enough to imagine, God instructs the apostle John to write in Revelation 7 that we will stand there, together, shoulder-to-shoulder, BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD & BEFORE THE LAMB.
And get this!!!! We will all be dressed just the same!!!! We will be CLOTHED IN WHITE ROBES [because of JESUS’ Righteousness].
Finally, this multitude of people will be holding a PALM BRANCH in our hands.
ONE
NATION
UNDER
GOD
We will forever be!!!
Now let me pause to say that I am so thankful I am an American, that I am afforded the opportunity to celebrate my freedom and liberty and independence today on our nation’s Independence Day. I am also so proud to be married to a sailor who has fought for our freedom. YET, I am MOST THANKFUL that when the LORD JESUS returns for His Church, on that day, we will (all peoples from all nations, all tribes, and all tongues)…WE WILL STAND AND SHOUT, WILL CRY OUT WITH A CRY OF SOLITUDE & WITH A LOUD CRY……
“Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb [the Lamb of God, the Son of God—JESUS, our Savior& Redeemer].”
(Revelation 7:10)
Today is a beautiful day, an important day for the United States of America.
We are Americans. Truly!!!
Today is also a most glorious day to celebrate who we are in Christ Jesus.
We are Redeemed.
We are Forgiven.
We are an Empowered Child of God.
We belong to the King of Kings.
We are FREE, yes FREE From the Shackles of Sin, and we are God’s.
Hallelujah and Amen!!!!!!
Our citizenship is so important because it ties directly to our eternity. We who accept, believe, and confess Christ as LORD are citizens of Heaven!!!!
The apostle Paul wrote to a congregation of people, the Gauls, people who were so similar to Americans, and Paul reminded them (and us)……
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery [of sin].”
(Galatians 5:1)
Let us today who live in America….stand tall and celebrate our nation’s freedom and pledge our allegiance to our flag.
Let us today who Believe in God….also proudly stand and celebrate our citizenship & independence we proclaim as a child of God.
Let us today who accept Christ Jesus as LORD….stand and celebrate our God because of what HE Did Upon the Cross & In the Grave.
Let us today who Confess God as our Father….stand together in confidence, fully aware who we are in Christ Jesus our Savior & LORD.
LET US STAND TODAY, TOGETHER, AND CRY OUT, “WE ARE FREE, YES FREE, INDEED!!!”
So, in closing, there is a beautiful melody—“Believer” by Rhett Walker that reminds us through music who we are in Christ Jesus. Listen today if your day allows.
“A Mountain Mover/Water Walker/More than just an Overcomer/
Cause I’ve been set free.
I am a Gospel Preacher/Heart on Fire, Freedom Singing, Testifier/
Cause I’ve been Redeemed.
I am a Believer. I am a Believer.
I know this is not my home/I know I don’t walk alone.
No matter what comes my way/I have peace through the trouble/I have joy through the struggle/
Now my hopes in a brighter day.”
ALL Because we’ve been Redeemed. We are a Believer. We are a child of the Father. In Christ Jesus….WE HAVE BEEN SET FREE!!!
LET US STAND TODAY, TOGETHER, & LET US CRY OUT TOGETHER….”WE ARE FREE, YES FREE, INDEED!!!”