As my family drove home on this 4th of July holiday from my father’s house last night, we were surrounded by a symphony of firework shows in each direction! This celebration is one in which we remember the freedom gained for our nation over two hundred years ago, but a more significant freedom was accomplished for us two thousand years ago. Christ came to proclaim freedom for the captives! Who are these captives? You and me! “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).
Though we link the concept of freedom with “Independence Day,” the irony is that the less independent of ourselves and the more dependent we become on God, the more freedom we will experience from temptation and sin. The greatest joy is found when we are set free from the enemies of our souls – the fleshly nature, the worldly values, and Satan’s dominion. This freedom comes when we surrender ourselves completely to the Lordship of Christ. We will either be a slave to the enemy or a slave to Christ.
To this day, people from around the world are fleeing their nations to come to “the land of the free.” They seek freedom from oppressive governments or people groups by coming to our country. But can a country truly guarantee this freedom from all oppression? Christ came to set us free from our sinful nature and the enemy’s domain that leads to eternal death and into an eternal life with God. Freedom from oppression comes by submissive union to Christ.
Our founding fathers called us “One Nation Under God.” Sadly, many Americans are resisting this and wanting to separate our nation from God’s supreme leadership. This will only lead to more enslavement in our society to greed, addictions, and oppressive acts toward one another. When we place ourselves under the authority of God, He pours out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (see Romans 5:5). Let this celebration of Independence Day lead us to separate from an independent spirit and into a beautifully surrendered dependence on our Lord.
- Sue Corl
Amen