2 Corinthians 13:17

One of the most powerful lines in the Canadian national anthem is “God keep our land, glorious and free”. As we celebrate our country’s 157^th birthday, let’s reflect on the true gift of freedom that we have in Canada.

We live in a beautiful country. From coast to coast, we can see God’s beauty. We can be freely open about our faith, carry a Bible around, and attend church in public. These are freedoms that other Christians around the world unfortunately don’t have.

The Canadian Bill of Rights carries a powerful statement written and submitted by John Diefenbaker in 1960:

"I am Canadian, a free Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship God in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, free to choose those who govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind."

Let’s be thankful to God for our freedoms. When we look at scripture, a true definition of freedom is exposed. The Apostle Paul wrote this to the church in Corinth:

 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV).

We have freedom in Christ. Jesus’ death and resurrection freed us from sin and brought us into an eternal relationship with Him.

Allow yourself to be grateful today for the freedom we have as Christians and the freedom that God has established in our country where we can openly proclaim His goodness, His faithfulness, His grace, and His love.