Independence Day

Today is the 4th of July, Independence Day for the United States of America. It is a day of reflection, of remembrance and even for hope. We reflect upon the things that has brought this great nation to where it is today. We remember those who have sacrificed and served to help maintain what this country stands for. We hope on the things that this nation is built upon and work toward our betterment as individuals and as a people group based upon the hope our freedom brings us.

I love the 4th of July. It is one of my favorite holidays. Not only do we get to play with fireworks but we get to bask in the Red, White and Blue. We get to stand proudly with flags flying above knowing we are Americans. However, though this day is a day of doing just that the great thing about our nation is that we get to do that every other day of the year. No one forces us to celebrate. No one quiets us when we do. In America, though we are not without our problems and differences we all come together as Americans. We are united under that title. We are free. We are independent.

I want to also encourage you in another independence we have. One given to us not earned. One we did not fight for but was given to us as a gift from the only One who could have won it – the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Galatians 5:1 (NIV) says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set up free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” It is said quite plainly in this scripture. We are free be because Jesus wanted us free and therefore He did what it took to make sure we had that freedom. As a result we, as freed people, are to avoid the things that make us slaves.

2 Peter 2:19 (NIV) says, “…for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.” Sin is a slave master. We give in to it because it is attractive to us. We like what it offers. However, once we give way to its enticement we are hooked. Even when we realize our mistake we have a hard time breaking free from its grip because it has mastered us during the time we gave in to it. We grow accustomed to its draw and thus despite our greatest efforts we continue finding ourselves in its grip.

Alone, we are lost. However, as mentioned above someone has gone to war for us. Not only this, He won that war. With His victory He gave us victory. John 16:33b (NIV) says, In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Jesus won and we are free. Our first step to receiving that freedom is acknowledging that that He is the overcomer and our only hope is purely in Him.

1 John 4:4 (NIV) says, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” The enemy of our lives is strong. His grip is tight and his effort to destroy us is fierce. He does not give up easily and our strength is no match for his. Yet there is One who is greater than him. There is One that stands fearlessly before our enemy and declares victory and freedom. He declares our Independence Day from the slave master of our life. Sin can no longer hold and keep us. It has no authority to, unless we give it authority.

There is plenty of scripture to point to the fact that despite Jesus’ great victory over our slave master we still have the freedom to do as we will. When we make the choice to live again in our sin we also make the choice to surrender to its mastery over us. Therefore, it is important to strive for the continuation and growth of our faith in the One who has won. The New Living Translation of 1 Timothy 1:19 says is best. It says, “Cling to your faith and keep your conscience clear. For some have deliberately violated their conscience and as a result have shipwrecked their faith.” In Chapter 4 verse 7 it also says to "…train yourself to be godly.” We still have responsibility despite the Independence we have been given through Christ. We still must decide on a daily basis to no longer live as slaves to a defeated enemy.

Today is our Independence day if we will choose to live in the victory earned by the blood of a loving and most powerful Savior – Jesus Christ.

Happy Independence Day.