Saturday, June 19, 2021 is Juneteenth. It is the day set aside to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. This is the first year that Juneteenth has been designated a national holiday to remember and celebrate the emancipation of African Americans in 1866. Yes and yes! Let us remember and celebrate this moment of history which brought freedom to so many.
Let us also remember and celebrate our spiritual emancipation. As I have pondered this holiday, my mind has followed the following Biblical path.
We were all born into the slavery of sin, death, and the power of the devil. As David so eloquently writes in Psalm 51:5
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
But God! God who sent His only begotten son to save us and bring us into a life of freedom. I am reminded of the Apostle Paul’s words to the Romans
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received [b]a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15)
Also consider Paul’s words to the Galatians in Galatians 5:1
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
You Dear One, have been set free! You have the choice to walk in freedom or not. You have a choice to decide whether your words and actions will bring life, light, and blessing or death, darkness, and destruction. You choose whether to be “subject again to a yoke of slavery.”
Jesus tells us that His yoke is easy!
“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30)
Walking in the freedom bestowed to you on the cross and through Christ’s Resurrection brings life, light, and blessing. It is what empowers you to serve others in wholeness and love.
Consider Galatians 5:13 where Paul gives a clear picture of walking in godly freedom.
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
You were set free in Christ! Walk in the Spirit, not in the flesh.
Serve one another in love.
On Juneteenth, as we remember and celebrate the end of slavery in the United States, let’s also remember and celebrate the end of spiritual slavery procured through Christ!
That’s Good News!