Today, in the United States of America we celebrate our independence from Great Britain. The 13 colonies were under the rule of the King and thus still under the rule of the church of England. The freedom of religion that these colonists sought was not exercised fully until the Declaration of Independence was signed and accepted as law by them. For one of our great patriarchs Samuel Adams, it meant we were no longer to submit to the King of England and the church of England, but we were free to submit to Christ and worship as we chose. It was a day many had fought for in the Revolutionary War and had given their lives for. It was a day of celebration like never before. On the first days of independence, many celebrated it with a mock funeral for the King of England which symbolized the end of the monarchy and tyranny that had oppressed them for so long. They celebrated their new birth and embraced the liberty that awaited them.
Now many celebrate July 4th without realizing the price that was paid so they can have the freedoms they exercise. Families and friends will gather, eat a meal usually cooked outside, and wait until dark for fireworks shows. Most do not know or understand the religious reasons that many men died. Because of the lives that were given we have liberty and freedom to express our faith.
Over 2000 years ago true freedom was gained and made available to all who would believe and give their allegiance to Jesus Christ. This freedom was also won by the shedding of blood. It is offered freely to us, but it was not free to God. It cost Him the life of His Son. In John 8:32-36, Jesus is teaching those who are bound by traditions and the law that they are in bondage, they are living as if they are righteous by their own merit. He tells them that He came to make them free. He is the truth, and if the Son makes them free, they are free indeed. He came to free them from their slavery to sin, and give them the freedom to live through Him.
John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 8:34-36 “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committed sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abides not in the house forever: but the Son abides ever. If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
In Galatians 5:1, Paul instructs us to stand firm in the liberty that we gained by accepting Christ as our Savior. He warns us to not go back to the way we were before we experienced this freedom. Before we accept Jesus as our Savior we were in bondage to sin.
Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
There is no bondage like the bondage of sin. When you yield to it, it finds a place in your heart and mind, and it doesn’t let go unless there is a radical change in your life. The only radical change that can make a difference eternally is Jesus as our Lord and Savior. When we accept Jesus, we are freed from the curse of sin, and we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us to help us fight the temptations to sin. While we are not perfect after salvation, we are forgiven, and the blood of Jesus covers our sins. Now, our desire is to be like Jesus, and for the rest of our lives, we are to seek to emulate Him. This is the process of sanctification. Yes, our day of salvation gives us the true Independence Day, it is eternal, and no one can take it from us. It is a day that we are freed from the curse of sin. Our Independence Day just like all others was a day that was costly to those fighting for it. Ours was no different Jesus Christ laid down His life on the cross so that we could go free. It cost God the separation from His Son, it cost Him the life of His Son for us. The most valuable Independence Day begins not with overpowering another, but with total surrender! The only surrender that brings true freedom.
