Submitted by Pastor Kailea Nauman, First Christian Church

We are preparing for our celebrations for Independence Day, the day that we celebrate our freedoms that were fought for. We know that many lives were lost in the Revolutionary War. Blood was spilled on our land to gain freedom and on July 4th, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed.

We also celebrate the freedom of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans on June 19, 1865, on what is called Freedom Day. Many gave their lives in the Civil War that ended on April 9, 1865, and slaves gained their freedom.

We know the cost is high for freedom. Many are still giving their lives to ensure our freedoms in this country. Let us say thank you – not just with our words but actions – in how we live out that freedom.

We know that there are people who give their lives for their freedom to be Christ followers. The top 10 countries where Christ followers are persecuted and can be killed for their faith are North Korea, Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, Pakistan, Eritrea, Yemen, Iran, Nigeria, and India. In these places it is not uncommon to be imprisoned for carrying a Bible, praying in public, going to church, and in some of those places they will kill you for your faith.

Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened by again by a yoke of slavery.”

Galatians 5:13-14 says, “You My brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”

We have freedom in Christ. We know that through His sacrifice on the cross, His blood shed, that He defeated sin and death and we share in His victory. We are forgiven for our sins through repentance. But as Galatians says because we are free that does not mean we give our selves back over to our sinfulness but instead we serve Christ first and then one another.

We don’t go back and be slaves to our flesh and our sinfulness but instead we walk in the freedom Christ gave us and through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in us and through us.

Romans 6:22 says, “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness and the result is eternal life.”

Let us use our freedom in Christ to live lives that are Holy and pleasing to the Lord. Serving one another with the love of Jesus. Jesus says in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth and the life.” And Jesus says in John 8:31-32, “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”

Jesus is our true freedom. There are those imprisoned for their faith because they know true freedom comes through Christ Jesus who sets us free from death and sin. Have you found this freedom, this truth? If you have not I pray you seek Jesus and you will find Him and He will set you free.

Blessings to you all through our Lord Jesus Christ.