Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. -Galatians 5:1
Going into summer we are getting ready to celebrate one of the most important holidays in American History. July the 4th marks the 247th anniversary of our Founding Fathers declaring our independence from tyranny. We celebrate this day every year with barbecues, family get-togethers, community celebrations, parades, and even fireworks. We put a lot of effort into making sure this day is not forgotten, and that we, and our descendents remember what this day is all about, the sacrifices made by so many to ensure we have the freedoms we do today. Every year as we celebrate this day and all that it means, I have always wondered, why do we as Christians put in more effort celebrating an earthly independence, but we continually overlook our Spiritual liberation, and the One who made the ultimate sacrifice for our Spiritual freedom.
On July the 4th, 1776 our nation’s forefathers adopted the Declaration of Independence, declaring we were no longer subject to the rule of the King and his oppression, a great day to be remembered for sure. However, that Friday afternoon so long ago, Jesus Christ was gruesomely crucified on a wooden cross, a horrific event to behold, as stakes were driven into His hands and feet. Like the men who fought for our American freedoms, Jesus gave His life that day so we could be delivered from our sin, and spiritual oppression, and he bled for us so we could be free eternally, and upon his death, our Spiritual freedom was declared. “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” -1 Peter 3:18
Our Spiritual day of Independence came at a great cost, a gift that we should not take lightly. A gift, I am sad to say, is too often taken for granted. This gift came at the ultimate price, Jesus’ death so we could live, a price He was glad to pay. We are no longer oppressed by sin, we are free. Anyone can experience this freedom, just like anyone can come to this great nation to escape persecution, we can come to Christ to escape death. The way to do this is extremely simple. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” -Romans 10:9
So this Independence day, and every day for that matter, don’t just honor those who have given you your American freedom, but take the time to really thank and honor the One who has given you the ultimate eternal freedom. I urge you to not just give Him a passing thought, but truly celebrate His sacrifice, and the gift you have been given, after all, if it were not for His sacrifice what freedoms would you really have? For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. -Romans 10: 13