July 4, 2017
To the precious brethren of AIM,
While today, America celebrated its birthday one more time, my heart has been uplifted in the knowledge that it is the will of God to give honor where honor is due. We celebrate the brave Americans who have faithfully fought through the centuries to obtain and to retain our freedom, as well as, the freedom of others. Because of their sacrifice we have the liberty to worship and follow God, to preach truth from the word of God and to defend that truth with all our hearts. This freedom should never be taken for granted.
We also cannot fail to lift our hearts with praise to the One who has blessed us and humbly ask Him to bless American again in these troubled times. I remember the words of Ronald Reagan who declared, “If we ever forget that we’re one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” America needs God today as much as ever.
My thoughts today have also gone around the world as I prayed for those, in the Philippines, that I have grown to know, respect and to love so very much! I rejoice that we share the same liberty in Christ and celebrate the great price that was paid, at Calvary, for that liberty. What an incredible truth Jesus stated when He proclaimed in Joh 8:31-32 “…, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Notice that He did not say the truth shall set you free but make you free! This freedom is a work of God through truth. It is possible to be set free and still be in bondage, as Jesus went on to tell the Pharisees. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin…If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Joh 8:34, 36
Free indeed! Truly and totally free. We are made to possess the most esteemed and priceless freedom; not from the chains and prisons of men, but from the bondage and penalty of sin. Free to obey God to the fullest. No longer is it as Paul described in Rom 7:19, “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” But now we testify, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Rom 8:1-2.
As I prepare for our Tuesday night service, on this Independence Day, my prayer is that God allows us to reach many more with this glorious truth of liberty in Jesus! Desiring that they too can experience the life changing liberty through the truth of the gospel. What a privilege I have to not only have this experience but to be part of fulfilling the command and commission of Christ to go and teach men to observe all things that He has commanded us… Mat 28:20! Knowing that Paul said, …in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 1 Ti 4:16
O that the world would know and experience what Jesus proclaimed, “…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Joh 10:10b. The abundant life that is only revealed and obtained in obeying this great Apostolic Truth… Acts 2:38-39 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Brethren, let us redeem the time, use the opportunity to be made all things to all men, that “we” might by all means save some 1 Co 9:22. Keep working until He comes remembering He has promised, “behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” Rev 22:12.
Longing to see you soon, I send you now my love and prayers,
Bishop Couch
