At this time of the year many are thinking of the men who gave so much that we might have a nation that is free. However, it seems that our liberties are being taken away from us little by little. A while back in California a husband and wife had a group of people over to study the Bible as their building was being renovated. The group that met numbered from 6 to 40. They kept the noise level low, the neighbors never complained, but the city said they were having a worship service in a place where they were not supposed to—a neighborhood—and they had to have a permit if three or more people met. There was plenty of room for parking that never interfered with the rest of the residents. Some of the residents even signed a petition saying they were not upset with anything going on. But they fined them. Interesting enough, if a group of three or so men wanted to get together to play poker, they would be allowed to do so. It was just a religious service that had to have the permit. It seems inconceivable to me that in this great land of ours one would have to have a permit to have a gathering of this kind. (I just read where they dropped the appeal as the city was reversing its decision and would review it. This was the result of public outcry.) When we consider this, however, we need to realize there is a freedom none can ever take from us. It is the freedom we have in Christ. They may take our personal freedom but no one can take away the salvation we have through our Lord Jesus Christ. If we do not remain faithful to God we can strip ourselves of our salvation. Paul told the Galatians, “you have fallen from grace.” (5:4) He told the church at Corinth, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.” 1 Corinthians 12:10 (NASB) These verses let us know we must be diligent to serve our Master or we could lose our salvation. How dear are your freedoms to you? What happens when they are taken away from you? The man who commits a felony and goes to prison is locked up and loses his freedom. He is confined to a cell that is small and locked. We are free in Christ and have everything to hope for. Let’s thank God for our freedom and remember the cost of it.