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True Liberty In July of every year we Americans take time to think about and to celebrate our liberty. For us the 4th of July is the most important of our civil holidays. St. Paul wrote about the “liberty of the children of God.” (Ro. 8:21) In Christian theology liberty is also extremely important. But it is a liberty that goes far beyond civil liberty and actually forms the basis for a free nation. In a discussion of liberty and freedom we need to carefully define our terms. What do we mean by freedom and are we free? The answer is both yes and no. Yes we are all free to make choices. We are free to do as we wish, i.e., we make free choices based on our desires. But there is a problem with this sort of freedom. We are free to follow our desires, however, our desires are not God’s desires. The fact is we are under bondage to our sinful nature. We are not free to obey God as we should. Christ came to set us free from our bondage to sin and to give us true liberty. Jesus said, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (St. John 8:31,32) The lies of Satan and sin keep us in bondage, but the truth of God is able to free us. Christ went on to say, “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” (St. John 8:36) Through His perfect obedience to the Father and death on the cross Jesus is able to set us free from the Law’s condemnation. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death.” That is how St. Paul put it in Romans 8:1,2. The repentant sinner who has come to Christ in true faith has literally been set free from death row. By the power of the Holy Spirit the believer has also been set free from the dominion of sin. Choices are based on desires, but now our desires have been changed by God’s power. We now desire to obey God and have been set free to do so. This freedom Christ gives us is liberty and not license. The Bible clearly condemns an antinomian spirit. “What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!” (Ro. 6:15) Unfortunately such an antinomian spirit is creeping into many branches of the church today. It must be rejected, for it is not liberty, but a disguised slavery. We have been set free that we might serve and glorify God. Charles Kingsley once wrote, “There are two freedoms – the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; the true, where a man is free to do what he ought.” Only Christ is able to give us this true freedom. Civil liberty is of great value, but there are men and women living in Red China and North Korea today who are more free than most people in the United States. They are free because they are Christians. As we celebrate our freedom as a nation let us not forget to thank God for that greatest freedom – the liberty of the children of God. by Rev. F. M. Levi Parish News The Mother/Daughter Salad Supper was held in the Parish Hall on Saturday, May 19, 2007. Those who attended had a most delightful evening. The St. Andrew’s Preschool graduation took place on Friday, May 25, 2007. Congratulations to all the graduates. The Woman’s Guild had their annual Rummage and Bake Sale, Saturday, June 9, 2007 in the Parish Hall. Thank you to all of you who donated items for the sale. Tami Scaturro, age 37, daughter of Steve Horosinski, passed away May 29, 2007. Our sympathies and prayers are with Steve and the Horosinski family. Missionary of The Month Rev. & Mrs. William Jerdan (Diane). Montpellier, France. A series of Discipleship Training classes began April 25, 2007. The classes will cover such topics as how to read the Bible, how to pray, how to witness, etc. All parishioners are encouraged to attend that together we may become better disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. Classes are held in the chapel every Wednesday from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., except the 2nd Wednesday of each month. VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.andrewrec.org       Happy Birthday! July 7 – Gladys Muir July 11 – Jennifer Domato July 11 – Fran Chessman July 11 – Vicky Elliott July 21 – Sue Horosinski July 21 – Brian Ardizzone July 25 – Veronica Elliott   What God Hath Promised by Annie Johnson Flint God hath not promised Skies always blue, Flower-strewn pathways All our lives through; God hath not promised Sun without rain, Joy without sorrow Peace without pain. But God hath promised Strength for the day, Rest for the labor, Light for the way, Grace for the trials, Help from above, Unfailing sympathy, Undying love.