Free from Bondage

How We’re Learning

By Claudia Duff

Independence Day

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 (ESV)

Every year my daughter and I have a movie marathon leading up to the 4^th of July. We have our favorites: Apollo 13, Armageddon and Deep Impact to name a few. But, our all-time favorite is…. you guessed it, Independence Day!

“You will once again be fighting for our freedom… Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution… but from annihilation. We are fighting for our right to live. To exist: the day the world declared in one voice: “We will not go quietly into the night!” We will not vanish without a fight! We’re going to live on! We’re going to survive! Today we celebrate our Independence Day!”

One of my favorite lines from the movie, Independence Day, along with “Welcome to earth!” Growing up in St. Louis as a little girl the 4^Th of July was one of my favorite holidays. It was full of backyard barbeques, homemade ice cream, fireworks, music–lots of music and water flowing from hydrants. (that’s the old school way of keeping cool, no pools or waterparks, lol!)

It was like Christmas, only super-hot and loud. And the sparklers! So, many sparklers! I was mesmerized by the light and the fact that someone allowed a little kid to play with fire, lol! Good times and great memories of the 4^th from when I was a kid.

What about now? What does celebrating freedom look like now? I must admit freedom feels different when you cross over to adulthood. There is the realization that someone has to actually pay for it, it’s not free and it don’t come cheap. Women associated with the military have a complete understanding of that knowledge. We are either warriors ourselves, married to one or raised one up. So, we have a front row seat to the big show of freedom. And from our perspective, freedom is a lot more than a perk of life, it actually is life. The Word of God declares the gift of freedom and then the responsibility of those who possess freedom.

For freedom Christ has set us free; and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 (ESV)

Saints, there is work to be done to maintain freedom in Christ and also to spread the gospel to those who do not know. What are we doing about that piece of freedom? Unfortunately, not enough. We all know someone who is not free. Someone who has not met up with the freedom fighter, Jesus. They are still in bondage and there is freedom to be grasped.

Everyone agrees that heaven is a real place and everyone wants to go. But, so is hell and no one wants to go there. Embracing freedom in Christ is not just to getting your “fire insurance”, it is to embrace a beautiful Savior that desires you to walk in freedom beginning today. As in right now! Freedom in Christ is freedom that starts the moment you accept Him. The moment you declare that Jesus is indeed Lord and Savior of your soul. We must tell of this freedom. As believers in Christ and people who walk in freedom the Word of God declares it:

and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1b

How to Live in Christ’s Freedom:

The best way to do that is to never forget and always remember the cost of freedom and who paid it.
Keeping the power of salvation front and center in our lives will draw others to Christ.
If every part of your daily speech is permeated with the knowledge that your freedom came from Christ and you are consumed with a grateful heart for it, people will notice. They will notice it in your attitude, your conversations and in every encounter with you.

Are we being good ambassadors of Jesus, our freedom fighter? Can others see the freedom we have been granted? If not, why not? What do we need to throw off to embrace freedom in Christ with both hands?

Your Turn:

On the 4^th of July celebrate the freedom of our country but, truly celebrate the freedom only Christ can give. Celebrate the freedom of our ultimate freedom fighter, Jesus. Tell someone about freedom in Christ as you churn the ice cream bucket. Talk about freedom from sin as you light up some sparklers. Remember that freedom is not actually free and remain grateful as you dig into some ribs and potato salad. Make sure to mention that the yoke of slavery is not what God intended for those who bear His image. He, God sent Jesus to make us free. Grab a hold of freedom with both hands and wrap your leg around it and hold on tight!

Happy 4^th of July in Jesus!