Acts 23: 23-35

Today is the 4^th of July; it is Independence Day. On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies were no longer subject to the monarch of Britain and were now united, free, and independent states.

As I read today scripture, I found myself thinking about what it means to be a soldier.  The 2 centurions and their 200 soldiers were able to make a forced overnight march when it counted because they had made many forced marches in training.  In times of peace soldiers train for war because when war breaks out it is too late to train.

Rome had a professional army, and with it, they built an empire.  That empire provided the stability and peace that enabled the gospel of Jesus Christ to spread across culture, race, economic class and nationality.  Christ came at the perfect time in history to reach the most people in the shortest amount of time with the greatest amount of hope and good news.  The Roman army made that possible.

Some of the Jews hated the Roman army, and there are people today who feel the same about our military.  Wicked men and nations are always going to build armies; in a wicked world, that is an unpleasant fact.  Freedom loving people and nations can surrender, or they can defend themselves.  That defense will always depend upon men and women being willing to risk everything including their lives to protect others.  That is what it means to be a soldier.

Paul did not arrive alive because he carried a letter; soldiers protected him.  We are not a free nation today because men signed a Declaration of Independence; soldiers bled and died to provide and protect our freedom.

As Christians, we are thankful for freedom, and honor the sacrifices of those who have made, and are making, it possible.  However, our earthly freedom pales compared to the spiritual freedom we have in Christ.  The greatest freedom we have is freedom from unrighteousness.