It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1 NIV

The United States will celebrate Independence Day on Wednesday. To those of us who live in the States, it’s a day filled with parades, picnics, fireworks and good times with families and friends. The day celebrates our freedom. We are an independent country.

Christians around the world celebrate freedom on a daily basis–freedom in Christ.

What does this mean?

God loved us so much He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins. In the Old Testament, when sins occurred, blood needed to be shed, so animals were sacrificed. 

With Jesus’ death and resurrection, the Old Testament ways were no longer necessary. Jesus paid the price for us. 

Humbling.

Being a Christian means being freed from our old lives of sin and being reborn to a new life in Christ. Many people think being a Christian restricts us with a lot of rules and regulations and “thou shall nots.” That’s not it at all.

Our time on Earth is temporary. 

Upon our deaths, we will receive the consequences of our actions. By accepting Jesus as our Savior, believing in only one God who created the heavens and the Earth, by confessing our sins and asking forgiveness, we will have an eternal home in Heaven. If we choose to continue a sinful lifestyle, the Bible tells us the wages of sin is death.

Just like the Declaration of Independence frees the United States from British rule, Jesus frees us from a sinful death through His sacrifice on the cross. And we need to celebrate that daily…fireworks are optional.

Your Turn: What does freedom in Christ mean to you?

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*Photo credits:

• Statue of Liberty photo ©Scott Jordan 2009 
• Fireworks photo ©Patrick Jordan 2008
• Light cross photo ©Mitchell Jordan 2011