This Fourth

There's much to be thankful for, in living in a country where we can speak freely and worship freely--but there is a lesson that American Christians should take from the Roman Empire. The very same empire in which the Pax Romana allowed for the spread of the Gospel was the same empire which persecuted and martyred people of the faith. The growing intolerance of the Truth and growing call for "tolerance" for us to "just get along," meaning that the other faiths say: you must validate my faith and yet minimalize your own.

So enjoy and cherish your freedoms America--we are a young country at just over 210 years old. Worship the Lord in His splendor this Sunday, enjoying your freedom to do so without persecution. At the same time, pray for the persecuted church, that they would persevere in the faith despite their sufferings and that they would not denounce Christ, but be a witness to His grace.

And thank former and current service men and women especially for their service in keeping those freedoms in tact. Sometimes in our age of nonstop news, TV, work, etc, it's quite easy to forget that.