July 4th is just around the corner. It’s a day when the citizens of the United States of America celebrate their independence. They battled for their freedom from English rule, and now we mark the occasion with fireworks, hot dogs, picnics, and parades. Although it’s great to celebrate our country’s birthday, this article isn’t about America. There is a freedom more important than American independence. It’s the freedom Christ won for us on the cross.
Although studying the history of the revolution tells us what happened, it’s hard for us to understand what it was like in the Colonies before we won our independence. Likewise, it’s hard for us to understand the state of God’s people before the cross. We live now in the era of the Last Days. The Holy Spirit has already come, indwelling God’s people and empowering them to do great works for God. Having been set free, it’s hard for us to remember the bondage that held us before we knew Christ. That’s one reason a new believer is often radically different from someone who has known Christ for years.
Because our memory often needs help in recalling the implications of being set free by Christ, when the Fourth of July comes around this year, I encourage you to take time to reflect on what it means that Christ has won your freedom. In Romans 8:1-2 Paul writes, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. F or the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” Before you knew Christ, you were held captive by the law. The law that convicted you of sin and condemned you to death. But in Christ, you have been set free! Now, you are no longer under condemnation. This should make fireworks go off in your head as you contemplate the wonder of your new standing in the kingdom of God.
In John 8:36, the Apostle tells us that Jesus said, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” It may not seem like you have been set free from sin or the penalty of the law. Remember, the writer of Hebrews does tell us that sin still clings closely. But, when Jesus said you would be ‘free indeed,’ he meant that you would be free in truth, fact, and reality. And since you have been set free, you are to live as someone who knows freedom.
In Romans 5:1 Paul writes, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Here, Paul reminds us of just how great the gospel is in terms of freedom. Paul was under the obligation of the law. He knew it’s tyranny. When he met Christ on the road to Damascus, it was then that he found freedom. A freedom that no one can take away from him. He found himself so free regarding the law that his entire outlook on life changed.
The gospel must affect us in the same way. We must celebrate the freedom we have found in Christ! There should be fireworks and celebrations, parades and picnics. (OK, maybe a parade is too much). However, every Sunday, when we gather at church, we should be reminded of the freedom we now have in Christ. And this should cause us to celebrate our new standing, enjoy our deep fellowship, and rejoice with one another that we are now part of God’s kingdom. I, for one, am glad that America won her freedom so long ago. But I am even more excited about the freedom I have in Christ – and I hope you are, too.
~ Pastor Mike
