This week we will be celebrating Independence Day. We will commemorate the founding of our nation. While there are many different thoughts on the state of our nation, it is certain that it was founded upon principles of freedom.

What is freedom? You may think of freedom as the ability to make your own choices. To have complete autonomy in where you live, what you eat, and what you do.

Scripture has a great deal to say about freedom:

• “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).

• We are called to be free. As we enjoy this freedom, we should avoid giving in to the desires of our flesh. Instead, we should use our freedom in Christ as a means to serve others in love (Galatians 5:13-14).

• Freedom in Christ brings about justification with Christ (Acts 13:38-39).

• “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2).

• We are set free by the truth (John 8:32).

• We are to live righteous lives before God as we walk in His freedom (1 Peter 2:16).

• “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17).

We are not promised lives of ease in the Christian faith. Freedom in Christ does not mean that we have the ability to make any choice we want. Rather, Christ has set us free from sin. As we rejoice in this freedom, we have the indescribable opportunity to live for Him. As we observe our national holiday of freedom, may we rejoice in the freedom that we have in Christ.

Love in Christ,
Adam