This Saturday marks the 250th anniversary of the United States of America’s Declaration of Independence. On that day, America was born by proclaiming that England no longer had any hold on its North American colonies. It was a cry of freedom based on the Biblical principle that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights.
Independence Day holds great meaning for us Americans. Over 250 million pounds of fireworks will be set off to celebrate the nation’s freedom because we know that it came at a great cost. Since its founding, the USA has fought to defend its freedom in many wars. In these 250 years, over 1.2 million Americans lost their lives in battle. So, we celebrate the generations of men and women who were willing to put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms we enjoy.
Freedom isn’t free. Something so precious always comes at a cost. The higher the cost, the more valuable it is. How much more valuable, then, is the freedom we enjoy as Christians, since it came at the cost of Jesus’ life? 2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Jesus took the penalty due all of us on Himself and suffered so that we would be free.
Jesus’ death made us free from sin. Romans 6:18 says, “And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” In Christ, we are free from the temptations of the world. Jesus took away our sins and gave us the heart to resist the devil.
Jesus’ death made us free from the Law of Moses. Paul writes, “…having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross” (Col. 2:14). By the Law, mankind was condemned, not having a way to atone for sin. But Jesus paid the price and lifted the burden of the Law.
Jesus’ death made us free to serve. In Galatians 5:13, the Bible says, “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” In Christ, we have been given a family to care for and a God to serve.
It has been 1,993 years since Jesus paid the price for our eternal freedom. What will you do to celebrate such a sacrifice? Freedom isn’t free. Jesus says, “…whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:25). Have you counted the cost of the freedom Christ offers? Celebrate this freedom by living for Him.