Ten years and one day ago, a street sign of downtown New York stood in the shadow of the south tower of the World Trade Center. The sign marked the intersection of the streets Church and Liberty.
Today, the sign still stands. But now it is at the corner of Ground Zero.
Today, we remember the horrific events of 9/11/01. We grieve the loss of life. We thank the heroic first responders who courageously gave their lives to rescue others. And, as a nation, we rebuild and renew ourselves to preserve freedom.
The signpost of Church and Liberty streets in New York reminds us, as Christians, of an important truth regarding freedom: God wants His churches to proclaim liberty.
Jesus Himself came to “proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound” (Isaiah 61:1, c.f. Luke 4:18). He brought the truth which sets the hearts of men free (John 8:32).
Our nation is increasingly turning away from God—even in the commemorative services for 9/11. We seem to have forgotten our Christian heritage, and we are losing our moral compass.
May these street markers at the corner of Church and Liberty be a signpost to Gospel-preaching churches and obedient Christians. We must preach the liberty of Christ. We must proclaim the Gospel and lead Americans to the One who can set hearts free from sin and lead them to freedom in Christ.
Times of crises, such as our nation encountered ten years ago today, frequently help us identify the key priorities of life. Let us remember to invest our lives and our time in rescuing the eternal souls of men by faithfully preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
