Today as we approach July 4th, which is a celebration of freedom in the United States, there rings the resounding phrase “freedom comes with a price”. Indeed in the world of men freedom does cost precious lives, limbs and minds as men and women of this country have fought in wars over the past 238 years. That’s how long the United States has existed since its proclamation of freedom from the Kingdom of England.

But when I think of freedom, I am thinking of a freedom of much more value than freedom of expression or freedom to live my life how I choose. I am thinking of freedom in Christ Jesus who bore my sins on the cross. The Son of God who sacrificed His life to truly set me free.

Christ Himself proclaimed the following:

16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. (Luke 4:16-22)

The apostle Paul once wrote that we who are free from sin are dead to sin and alive in Christ.

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:1-4)

My friends, if you are burdened by your sins. If you feel chained down in this world understand that Christ Jesus is your Savior and Master come to set you free from your captivity to sin. How can you lie to yourself one more time that the life you live is one of freedom if you do not live for Christ Jesus.

Let me tell you the whole truth that at the end of your life, be it today, tomorrow or in the far future there awaits a great judgment. A judgment of the living and the dead. For those not found to be saved from their sins will be cast away into a place called hell. It is described as a lake of fire where the soul burns forever and ever.

Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), ² that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us,^[a] the apostles of the Lord and Savior, ³ knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, ⁴ and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” ⁵ For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, ⁶ by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. ⁷ But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. (2Peter 3:1-7)

⁶ Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— ⁷ saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” (Revelation 14:6-7)

¹¹ Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. ¹² And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. ¹³ The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. ¹⁴ Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. ¹⁵ And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)

“Today, if you will hear His voice,Do not harden your hearts.”

Come and repent of your sins and find freedom in Christ. There is life and life abundantly forever more for those who find this freedom. Let men fight their wars of human freedom. Let God set you free so that you need not fight your burdens anymore. May your holiday be refreshing in the Christ! Please e-mail me if I can encourage or help you further.