Thanks to Clicks by Cordero for the beautiful Eagle photo.
For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1 (CSB)
Today, America marks its 249th birthday, celebrating freedom from the British tyranny that once controlled the thirteen American colonies.
The miracle of the American victory is that the Goliath superpower could be defeated by such a small, ill-equipped army of people, including men, women, and children. They were willing to risk everything to be free.
These brave rebels included intellectuals, pastors, farmers, homemakers, politicians, strategists and others—people determined to create a strong and uniquely independent nation.
The Declaration of Independence was skillfully and passionately written to express this nation’s determination to be free from political and economic tyranny, but also personal, social, and most importantly, religious bondage.
In striking irony, even many of those enslaved and brought to these colonies were willing to fight for American freedom. No system of slavery or any evil construct was ever created by God.
And while basic freedoms are utterly important and God ordained, they are not the ultimate expressions of freedom.
Freedom, described in our key verse, means freedom from living under religious law and the consequences of sin, which is death.
Yet, the only way to obtain such freedom is for people in any nation to live according to God’s design. When we live separately from the Biblical worldview, then we most certainly live enslaved to sin and death.
- we know that our old self was crucified with Jesus
- the body ruled by sin is rendered powerless
- we are no longer enslaved to sin, since a person who has died is freed from sin
- if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him
- because we know that Christ, having been has been raised from the dead
- He will not die again.
- Death no longer rules over Him.
- the death He died, He died to sin once for all time;
- the life He lives, He lives to God.
- So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
The miraculous thing about living according to God’s plan is that it does not matter if you live in America, or any other country that you can think of. Wherever the followers of Jesus Christ live-anywhere in the world, they have found the true meaning of being free indeed!
So, for my American readers, absolutely, celebrate the blessing that America has experienced, and continues to enjoy.
Be thankful that God chose you to live in this great nation and do all you can to help others find freedom in Christ. Pray for our brothers and sisters who live in oppressive societies and whose religious liberty is robbed.
May God continue to bless this nation with His patience and love. And may we never take part in abusing the grace that God has given to this great nation. Pray that Americans will return to Godly ways and away from the sinful lifestyles that are so pervasive now.
For my overseas readers, thank you for engaging with the scripture and thoughts from Seed Basket. Celebrate with your American brothers and sisters; your freedom in Christ, which comes from God, transcends political and religious constraints. Even if your home nation lacks freedom, you are free in the most important way—through Jesus!
So, if the Son sets you free, you really will be free. John 8:36 (CSB)
I called to the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me and put me in a spacious place. Psalm 118:5 (CSB)
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 (CSB)
I will walk freely in an open place because I study your precepts. Psalm 119:45 (CSB)
Share the freedom found in the Gospel of Christ Jesus in your world!
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
