Because of the sacrifice of many men and women, citizens of the United States have freedoms we all enjoy. Veteran’s Day is a special day set aside for Americans to honor veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and their willingness to serve and sacrifice for the citizens of our country. Their sacrifice provided for and now maintains freedoms that make our country an amazing place to live.

As a church we also recognized and prayed for another group who sacrificed much giving others an opportunity to know true and lasting freedom. As we observed the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, our church family watched the story of a family in Colombia. The Martinez family was led by God to share the Gospel in one of Colombia’s “red zone” areas controlled by Marxists guerrillas. You can view their story here.

I saw their willingness to sacrifice whatever was necessary so others would know true freedom in Jesus. Their lack of freedom and the persecution they faced did not keep them from sharing the Gospel. Each moment the Martinez family was ready to share, even with the guns of the Marxists guerrillas pointing at them. Though afraid, they were prepared to sacrifice so God could be known. I wondered if lack of religious freedom placed a higher value on sharing true freedom.

True freedom is only found in Jesus. When a person’s heart is hardened to their need for God, Paul described this as a veil covering their heart, much like the veil covering Moses’ face from the Israelites. Because Moses beheld God’s glory, his face glowed. However, the Israelites were hardened to their need for God or a Savior, so Moses hid his face with a veil. Rather than seeking God’s forgiveness and grace, they continued to follow the old covenant law. As he continues this comparison, Paul explains,

“For to this day, at the reading of the old covenant, the same veil remains; it is not lifted, because it is set aside only in Christ. Even to this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts, but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:14-17)

Freedom comes through Jesus. Only He can lift the veil, but when it is lifted off of a person’s heart, they see Jesus. They see their need for His forgiveness and grace. Freedom comes as the new believer experiences victory over sin and death because of Jesus’ sacrifice. Freedom because of sacrifice. With the veil lifted and newfound freedom, the Holy Spirit enters and begins the process of transforming the new child of God into the likeness of his Savior.

Freedom is not to be taken for granted but sometimes I wonder if the ease in life our freedom grants us keeps us from sharing with others their greatest need. Americans are free to share Jesus without cost or sacrifice. We know everyone around us needs true and lasting freedom in Jesus, but there is little persecution for our beliefs. We are not kept from sharing the greatest truth of God’s saving grace. With no fight needed to share truth, we lead people toward God, but we do not have to live each moment as a potential for great sacrifice because of our faith. I can get so caught up in what is going on around me with my own cares or responsibilities, that I fail to look for opportunities to share the greatest gift.

I need to do my part and remember the high-cost God’s sacrifice that led Jesus to the cross to provide true and lasting freedom for all mankind. In our land of freedom, my sacrifice may never be the sacrifice of my life or family. My sacrifice may be putting aside tasks and time, my needs, dreams and desires, so my words and actions will point people to the true freedom they will find in Jesus.

The high cost of sacrifice makes the freedoms obtained of even greater value. People seek to be free and have the opportunity to live a life of joy and peace. Not everyone has basic freedoms here on earth, but everyone can live a life of true and lasting freedom in Jesus. It is a freedom that cannot be taken away. Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice to provide mankind that freedom. Sometimes we may need to sacrifice a bit of our earthly freedom to share what will last for forever.

Along with me, will you make moments to share the true freedom only found in Jesus?