For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. – Galatians 5:13

In a few weeks you will be planning your Independence Day picnics and excursions the 4^th of July week.

What if we dedicated our freedom and independence to service of others, to being a good neighbor?

What if we majored on neighborliness as an expression of appreciation for our country this year?

What if this Independence Day, 2018, was also a national good neighbor day?

You will be laying out menus, itineraries, guest lists, and budgets, but you may forget a matter or two of great significance. As you plan to overindulge in whatever you find appealing, you are likely to forget that liberty is not license and that it is a costly gift – a calling to serve others.

Now that you have been reminded, perhaps you can build some plans into your feasts and excursions for remembering the heritage, which has brought you such amazing freedom, and contributing to the legacy that will insure it for the next generation

This heritage was embedded in an idea which was like a seed packed with DNA that even the dreamers could not fully comprehend. But it resonated with their being.

Take time to remember that your freedom ultimately is a gift from God and has been bought with the price of Christ’s blood.

Then, remember that this garden of liberty we call America has been fertilized with the blood of patriots through the years. Let us pause to be grateful. Build it in to your plans for the day whether that means raising the flag or taking a few moments to participate in a ceremony of remembrance.

Then, remember your calling – not to indulge the flesh with unbridled lusts and gluttony, but to serve others in Jesus’ Name.

The heart of discipleship is service and the heart of real “Americanism” is neighborliness.

What a wonderful time of the year it is to go out of our way to be good neighbors. Lead your family in a good neighbor project and a servant ministry as a way of thanking God and our forefathers for the liberty we enjoy.

Brothers and sisters, you have been called to liberty and service to others is the highest expression of our liberty.