There is a close connection between physical freedom and spiritual freedom. When we celebrate Remembrance Day, we give thanks to God for the blessings of living in freedom in our land. We remember the many soldiers who have given their lives in the first and second World Wars, the Korean War, and subsequent conflicts. We recognize that if they had not sacrificed their lives, it is likely we would not enjoy the peace and freedom that we have today – a freedom that includes being able to worship the Lord and give praise to his Name, even in public life.

These freedoms came under attack from the totalitarian regimes in Germany and Russia. Both Nazism and Communism were a threat to our ability to live peaceable lives and to serve God according to his Word. Thus it is with great thankfulness that on November 11 we observe a minute of silence and remember God’s gracious care in providing us with the freedoms we enjoy today.

As Christians those freedoms extend beyond the physical. Our freedom is far greater than that. For the basic problem facing mankind is not slavery to another world power. It is slavery to sin, bondage to the evil one. By nature we are born corrupt; we are slaves to sin (Psalm 51:5; John 8:34). But thanks be to God for his grace in Jesus Christ! “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1). Christ has redeemed us from our sins with his precious blood, freeing us from the dominion of Satan by his death on the cross. And by the power of his Holy Spirit, Christ allows us to live in communion with God again. That is true freedom!

Yet this freedom is constantly under attack. Our communion with God is something that Satan wants to destroy. He doesn’t like it when we in freedom serve God with joy and thankfulness. He wants us to be in bondage to him. And so in the church of Galatia, Satan attacked God’s people from two different sides. He infected the church with legalistic attitudes. False teachers arose who said that it was necessary to keep the law in order to be justified. They promoted circumcision and a works-based faith, that we have to do something to contribute to our own salvation.

Now, we all know that salvation is by grace alone, through faith in Jesus Christ. We reject the idea that we can keep the law in order to be saved. But what then is the status of the law in the life of a Christian? Here Satan attacks the church from the opposite side, suggesting that since Christ has kept the law for us, we no longer need to keep it. Perhaps Satan can ensnare those opposed to legalism with a lifestyle of licentiousness.

Paul opposes this teaching by reminding us that we were called to be free. He warns, “Do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature.” For we still have so many fleshly desires. At times we are tempted to indulge in things that we know are opposed to God’s Word and will. We want to live like there is no tomorrow. To partake in the pleasures this world has to offer. To get rich, to party, to have fun. But if we follow the sinful desires of the flesh, we lose the freedom that Christ has earned for us. We again become slaves of sin and come under the dominion of the evil one.

On Remembrance Day we remember the sacrifice of many men and women who gave their lives so that we may enjoy peace and prosperity in Canada today. But we should also be reminded of the far greater peace and freedom that Christ has earned for us with his sacrifice on the cross.

And then we all need to ponder the sacrifices we are willing to make today, to live in the freedom we now enjoy. We are called to live holy and thankful lives to the glory of God. We are called to serve one another in love. For when we live in close communion with God and our neighbour, we will enjoy true freedom, both now and forevermore!