Submitted by Pastor Cathy Riggins, Good News Church and Westboro Methodist Church

As the nation celebrates Independence Day with fireworks and festivities, for us, as children of God, it is also a wonderful time to reflect on a deeper kind of freedom: the spiritual freedom offered by Christ. This freedom is described in Galatians 5:1: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

This verse reminds that true freedom extends beyond political or earthly independence. It is the liberation from the bondage of sin and death, a freedom secured not by our own efforts, but by Christ’s sacrifice. Similar to how the nation fought for freedom from tyranny, people are called to stand firm in the freedom Christ has given, resisting anything that would enslave again, such as reliance on works of the law or worldly desires.

The Founding Fathers, in their Declaration of Independence, acknowledged that certain rights were endowed by their Creator, recognizing a divine source for freedom. Similarly, Galatians 5:1 highlights the ultimate freedom that comes from God through Jesus Christ. This freedom empowers not to serve oneself but to love and serve one another, fulfilling the entire law in a single act of love.

This Independence Day, while celebrating the nation’s freedom, also remember the freedom Christ has purchased. People can live lives that reflect this freedom, not for selfish indulgence, but for the glory of God and the well-being of others. May the liberty in Christ be used as an opportunity to love and serve neighbors.

In response, let us gather around the celebrations and lift a prayer for our nation and its leaders that they and the rest of the country experience and spread the true freedom in Christ!

This Independence Day, let freedom ring – both in our nation and in our hearts!