Freedom.................

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:13

What does freedom really mean? Some believe that freedom means that they can drink as much alcohol as they want and then get behind the wheel of a car? How about Doing as much drugs as they can and kill every one who gets in their way, even innocent babies. Does it mean that people can continue to have children right and left outside marriage? How about pornography? Many believe that they have the right to watch as much pornography as possible with their children and what they do in their homes is their business and no one else 's concern. Some people want the freedom to kill babies as they see fit to accommodate their lifestyles, and with no remorse nonetheless. A newer form of freedom is to destroy the sanctity of marriage, destroying family and defying God. Every earthly effort towards moral freedom brings captivity and bondage to something else and consequently destroy lives. Wouldn't you agree?

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

The holiday we are celebrating today is known as “the Fourth of July,” because interestingly enough, it falls on that same date every year. But it is formally named "Independence Day." Is "independence" a positive word? I cannot claim to be a lexicographer and English is definitely not my first, second, or third language, but I have learned that the prefix "in" means "not."  For instance, "inaccurate"  means "not correct." "Indecent" means "not decent," inaccessible means "not approachable," "incessant" means "not stopping," "incoherent" means "not comprehensible," right? So if you carry similar line of thought then, Independence Day celebrates the fact we are not dependent on......something. We may have been freed from the monarchy of England, but are we indeed free? This nation was built on the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and after so many years husbands are killing wives and mothers are killing their own children. Some kill them before they are even born, if you can believe it! Meanwhile, fathers are abusing their families. There are many television shows promising large sum of money, love and marriage. Why is that? Are we still pursuing happiness? Shouldn't we have attained it yet? How long have we been independent?

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. Acts 13:38-39

I do not believe that freedom can be found in belief. The Word of God in John chapter 8 does a good job describing freedom. Jesus instructed those who believe to take it a little further. Jesus was talking about change of attitude. He was talking about his ability to transform the heart. True freedom starts with total surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. There is only one way to experience complete freedom from bondage, free from sins, free from curses and diseases, and that is through the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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

My dear friend, if Christ is your savior you could and should openly proclaim your spiritual declaration of freedom today and forever. Jesus died for your true freedom. He did not grant you the freedom to live in sin, but He has instead offered the freedom to triumph over sin and He also granted you the freedom to live in your created/design purpose; free from guilt, power and curse of sin. As we celebrate today, let us think of the blood sacrifice of Christ and let us be free indeed. You can't begin to understand freedom until you understand the sacrifice of Christ at Calvary. As we remember the founding fathers today, let us take a moment to thank our heavenly father for sending His only begotten Son to our rescue; true freedom starts and ends with Christ. Will you share the good news of Christ with someone today?

"If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:3

Praise the Lord!