For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 ESV

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13 ESV

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 ESV

Some of God’s “fireworks” in the sky at sunrise and sunset!

This week in the United States we celebrate the 4^th of July holiday. It celebrates the anniversary of the passage of  the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The 13 colonies declared their separation, independence, and freedom from Great Britain. We celebrate with backyard cookouts with our family and friends, attending parades, wearing red, white and blue, or watching fireworks in the nighttime sky.

And though our country is free from British rule, our true freedom comes from our relationship with Jesus. He died a horrific death on the cross to set us free. Jesus offers us freedom to love others as He did, freedom to forgive because we have been forgiven, freedom from sin because God sees us as righteous through Jesus, and freedom from death with the gift of eternal life with our Lord.

This 4^th of July as you celebrate with your family and friends, remember to also celebrate your true freedom through Jesus Christ. God’s Son came to earth to show us true freedom, loving, caring, teaching, sharing, helping, and worshipping God.  You are now free indeed!

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we remember that our true freedom is in Jesus Christ alone.

Blessings and joy in the freedom to love!