Freedom, family, food, and fireworks are how I would describe the 4th of July holiday. It’s a holiday we celebrate because it’s the day way back in 1776 that our Declaration of Independence was signed; a day when we, as a nation, declared our freedom. It was a great day in our nation; a day worth remembering and celebrating. But our freedom as a nation came at a price. According to findthedata.org, about 10,400 people died during the American Revolutionary War, which was fought so we could gain our freedom as a nation. Freedom isn’t free; in most cases it cost something, whether it’s money, time, or lives.

There is one life that was given for freedom that means more to me than any other. That life was Jesus Christ. He died so that we could be made free from our sins (Romans 6). He was that ultimate sacrifice for our sins. He was and is the only One that can give us true freedom; freedom from our bondage (Galatians 5:1), freedom from sin, freedom from this world. He paid the price for us (1 Corinthians 7:22-24). No one else could have paid that price. No amount of money in this world can buy you this kind of freedom.

God has provided us freedom through the sacrifice of His Son for any who is willing to follow His Will. This spiritual freedom is given to all, but the question is do you want that freedom? Do you want to do what is necessary to partake of that freedom? The men in the war wanted freedom, that is why they fought and some even gave their lives for that freedom.

Do you want freedom from your sins? Do you want that peace that comes from God (Philippians 4:7)? Will you put off that old man of sin and become a new creature (Colossians 3)? Are you willing to sacrifice your sinful life for that freedom? Will you be born of the water and the spirit (John 3)? Will you put on Christ in baptism (Galatians 3:27)? Will you become part of this spiritual family (Matthew 12:46-50)?

Freedom isn’t free whether we are talking physically or spiritually. But it is worth the sacrifice either way. The freedoms we enjoy in this country may one day be taken away. But the freedoms we have in Christ will not be taken away; they will always be there whether we are partaking in them or not. So, the choice is yours, do you want that freedom?

By: Kristina Odom