By George H. Alquist Jr.

      If you are a citizen of the United States of America, you are a citizen of the grandest country on earth! There is no other country that enjoys the blessed freedoms of America. Throngs clamor from around the world to the shores of freedom in America. People hazard their lives to get to America and the freedom that here awaits them. Yes, indeed, this is America - the home of the brave and the land of the free.

      The freedom, which we all enjoy in this great land, was not secured without great sacrifice and cost. The lives and reputations and fortunes of men and women have been laid down to bring freedom. Freedom has been purchased with the blood of our ancestors who valiantly braved all for freedom's sweet enjoyment. It behooves us, as Americans enjoying the fruit of their investments, to remember the high price of freedom and esteem those highly whose heroic exploits made it possible. I am thankful to be an American!

      The great freedoms of America are something to be thankful for, and yet, there is a still greater freedom which we must concern ourselves with - freedom of the soul. Freedom of the soul is to be set free from the tyranny of the flesh and the penalty of its treason against God. The Bible says that, "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). The sin is rebellion against the authority of God. The penalty for such rebellion is stated in Romans 6:23, "the wages of sin is death," and in Ezekiel 18:4, "the soul that sinneth, it shall die." Death, physical and spiritual is the penalty for sin against God. Spiritual death is eternal in hell. "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Rev. 20:14-15). We have broken God's law by sin and therefore deserve to die and spend eternity in hell.

      However, God in His mercy and by His love has provided a way for us to be made "free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2). How? By Christ, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me FREE from the law of sin and death."

      This freedom of the soul, like our freedoms in America, was not provided without sacrifice and price. However, this freedom could not be affected by anything that man himself could do. No amount of good works, religious activity, or personal bravado could secure the freedom of salvation. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8,9) and "Not by works of righteousness which we have done..." (Titus 3:5).

      The freedom from the law of sin and death could only be secured by the laying down of Christ's life and the shedding of His blood on our behalf. "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). "For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21). The Lord Jesus Christ died in our place, shed His blood for our sins, and rose again for our salvation (freedom). He did this for YOU. Just as you enjoy the freedom of America made available by those who paid the price, you can now enjoy the freedom of salvation made possible by the One Who paid its price - the Lord Jesus Christ. The freedom of salvation can only be received as a FREE GIFT from God. The Bible says, "for whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13). If the son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free INDEED" (John 8:36). Would you like to know the freedom physically and spiritually? To have the wonderful privilege to live in America now and in Heaven someday? You can! If you will trust Jesus Christ as your Savior you can have this glorious freedom.

      If you would like to be saved (freed from the penalty of our sin), sincerely pray to God something like, "Dear God, I know that I am a sinner unable and undeserving of heaven. But, I believe that Jesus Christ died for me and shed His blood for my sins and rose again for my salvation. I now trust the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior asking Him to forgive my sins and save my soul. Thank you Lord for loving me and thank you Lord for saving me by Your grace. Please give me the power to live for you. Amen."

      If you have just received Jesus Christ as your Savior you have eternal life upon the authority of God's word! You should let someone know of your decision to receive Christ as Savior. You may contact the church listed on this leaflet or you may contact me at 806 Parade Street, Erie, PA 16503 (814) 455-8600.

      Congratulations! "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free..." (Galatians 5:1).