As a nation, we just celebrated the 4th of July holiday, also known as Independence Day. This is a day in which we celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring our freedom as a nation from the Kingdom of Great Britain. We honor those Americans who paid the price with their blood, sweat and tears to purchase our freedom in the Revolutionary War, as well as those who have fought to secure it in the years since.

Even as we prize our freedom as Americans, we are moved to consider a greater freedom – our freedom in Christ. Galatians 5:1 tells us “For freedom Christ has set us free.” He did this with His blood, sweat and tears. He did this because of His great love for us. He did this voluntarily. Christ, the very Son of God, came down in flesh to endure the punishment that we deserve, in order to purchase our freedom from death and sin. In exchange we receive life in Christ and reconciliation to Father God!

The very fact that we commemorate a day to celebrate our freedom in America, honoring those who have purchased our freedom, is wonderful. As John Adams spoke of Independence Day: “It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade…”

How much more should we choose to celebrate our freedom in Christ? Christ has set us free from the spiritual bondage of sin. Christ has set us free from the punishment we deserve, for Romans 3:23 tells us “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” God’s love for us is absolutely amazing! He purchased our freedom to have eternal life with Him. That’s something to celebrate!

This season, let’s be continually in thanks for the freedoms we have been given, celebrating those freedoms and honoring those who have purchased our freedoms: National freedom in these beautiful United States, and Spiritual Freedom in Christ.

~ Pastors Brian and Rebecca