Liberty in Christ

I love this time of year. Family and friend get-togethers, cookouts, patriotic music...and of course, the fireworks. Nothing stokes the patriotic fires better than a good ol'-fashioned 4th of July celebration. It's a time to honor our nation's heritage and to celebrate the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.

I believe in America because we have great dreams - and because we have the opportunity to make those dreams come true.  {Wendell L. Wilkie} 

National honor is national property of the highest value. {James Monroe}

 The cement of this union [America] is the heart-blood of every American. {Thomas Jefferson}

We dare not forget that we are the heirs of that first revolution. {John F. Kennedy}

Even more important than our earthly liberty, though, is our spiritual liberty in Christ.


Before we were saved, we were slaves to sin (and the Law that governs sin). We were helpless to save ourselves from the burden of trying to uphold the Law in our sin-enslaved condition. When Christ died on the Cross, he provided the means necessary to free us from this bondage.

...our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is free from sin. {Romans 6:6-7}

Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: but when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons... Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. {Galatians 4:3-7}

Our helpless, sin-ridden condition died on the Cross with Christ. Christ rose again, but our sins remained lifeless, and will remain lifeless forever. Never again will they be able to condemn us, control us, or hold us back.

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. {Romans 6:14}

 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption... {Romans 8:1-15}

...where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. {2 Corinthians 3:17} 

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. {Galatians 5:1}

Christ's death, burial, and resurrection is the spiritual "Declaration of Independence" that we signed when we accepted Him as our Savior. The Bible is the spiritual "Constitution" whereby we are to govern our spiritual lives. We are to be the spiritual "Statues of Liberty" in the world - beacons of hope for spiritual freedom in a sin-cursed, sin-enslaved world.

During this time of celebration, remember to celebrate the liberty you have in Christ, as well. Take some time to thank Him for the spiritual liberty you enjoy because of Him. He deserves our gratitude.