Freedom in the Light of Christ
“At last we have freedom, for Christ has set us free! We must always cherish this truth and firmly refuse to go back into the bondage of our past.” Galatians 5:1 TPT
On July 4th, 1776, fifty-six courageous men signed a document that would forever change the course of American history. The Declaration of Independence boldly announced that the thirteen American colonies were no longer subject to British rule but were united, free, and independent states. What they fought for—what generations have protected since—is something we still hold dear today: freedom.
As Americans, we are blessed to live in a nation where liberty rings, where we have the right to worship, to speak freely, and to live without fear of persecution. Our national story is one of bravery, endurance, and vision. And yet, as we gather to celebrate the birth of our country, let’s look even deeper—past the fireworks, parades and flag-waving—to a greater freedom. One not written by human hands but inscribed on the heart by God Himself. A freedom purchased not with muskets and revolution but with a cross and resurrection.
1. The Gift of National Freedom
“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13
As Americans, we celebrate our national freedoms, but Scripture calls us to recognize an even greater, deeper kind of freedom: spiritual freedom, won not by revolution or human struggle, but by the blood of Jesus Christ. Our national freedom secures external liberties; our gospel freedom sets our souls free—from sin, from shame, from striving to earn God’s love.
Our founding fathers fought to break political chains. Christ died and rose again to break spiritual chains. And while national freedom may fluctuate with time, regimes, or laws, our freedom in Christ is eternal, unshakable, and rooted in His finished work. To live as truly free people means we refuse to be defined by our past and instead walk boldly in the purpose and identity Christ has secured.
So today, we pause to honor those who have served and sacrificed. We say thank you to all those who serve in our branches of the military, the veterans, the first responders, the quiet heroes who keep our country free. We remember that liberty has a cost. But even with all of our national blessings, we must ask: Is there more? Because no matter how free we are on the outside, many of us are still living in chains on the inside.
2. The Bondage of Sin
“When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom.” Romans 6: 20-21 NLT
There’s a kind of slavery that no law can abolish and no war can end: the slavery of sin. It’s the burden of guilt that follows you. The lies you’ve believed about who you are and who you’re not. It’s the fear you hide, the pride, the selfishness, the unforgiveness, the shame.
Paul’s words to the Galatians echo across time and culture: “Christ has set us free!” And just as we honor and protect our national freedom with vigilance, we must also cherish and guard our spiritual liberty. The temptation to slip back into old forms of bondage—whether it be legalism, guilt, people-pleasing, or performance-based religion—is real. But gospel freedom calls us to stand firm. The Greek word here (stēkō) is a military term, meaning to hold one's ground, to not retreat. We are not to return to slavery—not to our past failures, not to religious self-effort, and not to fear.
And here’s the truth: apart from Christ, we are all held captive. We may be citizens of a free country, but we are prisoners in our souls. But God didn’t leave us there. He wrote His own Declaration of Independence—signed not with ink, but with the blood of Jesus.
3. The Cross: Our Declaration of Freedom
“So if the Son sets you free from sin, then become a true son and be unquestionably free!” John 8:36 TPT
Jesus came to earth, was born of a virgin, lived a perfect, sinless life, was crucified, rose from the grave and is coming again. Jesus did what no government, no president, no army ever could—He came to break the chains of sin and death.
On the cross, He paid for our freedom:
Freedom from guilt: "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103: 12 NIV
Freedom from condemnation: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8: 1-2 NIV
Freedom from striving to be good enough: "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy..." Titus 3:5
Freedom from fear of the future: "‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’" Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
His resurrection was the ultimate revolution—the moment death was defeated and freedom was declared over every soul who would believe. July 4th may mark the birth of a nation, but the cross marks the birth of a new creation.
4. Living as Free People
“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:16 ESV
Freedom doesn’t mean doing whatever we want—it means living in the fullness of what God wants. It means we’re free:
To forgive: "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Eph 4:32 NIV
To love radically: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples..." John 13:34-35
To serve without needing applause: "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?... If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." Gal 1:10 ESV
To walk in purpose: "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Eph 2:10 NIV
To stand in truth with grace: "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Col 4:6 NIV
We’re not just free from something—we’re free for something. Free to live with joy. Free to shine in a dark world. Free to be exactly who God created us to be. Free to walk in the calling that He designed for us before the world was created. Free to bring Him glory in all we say and do.
5. Freedom with Responsibility
“Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 CSB
Freedom is a gift—but it’s also a responsibility. Just as our founding fathers fought for a better tomorrow, we as believers are called to bring hope to the world around us. Let’s use our freedom wisely. Let’s fulfill the great commission, spreading the Truth and hope of the gospel to an unbelieving world. Let’s speak life into and around each other. Let’s live in a way that honors not only our country—but also our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Reflection and Prayer
So this week, as you hear the crack of fireworks and see the red, white, and blue waving in the sky, let it stir your heart with gratitude. But above all, remember this: You are free—not just because of a document signed in 1776, but because of a Savior who died and rose again. The cross is your Declaration of Independence. The empty tomb is your assurance of victory.
Spend some time thanking God for the nation we call home. Pray for her leaders; our President, state and local lawmakers. Pray for our military that continues to defend our freedoms. Pray for those who do not have the freedom to worship Christ as we do. Thank God for the freedom we have to worship, pray, and speak boldly without fear of imprisonment or death. And most of all, pray for a great revival in our nation and the glorious coming again of Jesus!
“We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away…But when someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is,there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. Now the Lord - who is the Spirit - makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” 2 Corinthians 3:13, 16-18
