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

Today is Independence Day.  

Today we celebrate our freedom.  

Of course, as Americans we celebrate our national and political freedom. 

As men and women of God, we celebrate our spiritual freedom.  Christ has set us free from our bondage to sin. He has set us free from our need to try to earn our salvation, to somehow save ourselves.  He has set us free from the stress and worry and angst and anxiety which so often attack us.

Hear me, Beloved.  I’m not saying that those things are gone.  

Because they’re not.

I mean, just look around.

What I am saying is that we are no longer in bondage to them.

So why  do we act like we are?

When Paul wrote the above verse to the Galatians he was talking about freedom from the Mosaic Law.  Some Jews had chosen to follow Christ, but still felt compelled to meet the demands of the old covenant.  Paul was pointing out that a person who has Christ no longer needs the old law, and to try to follow it is like being a slave who, once free, returns to his chains.

Who would do that? Who would choose the chains?

That would be crazy, right?

Right?

So, Beloved–what yoke will you lay down today? What chains will you leave behind as you walk with your Lord? 

Today is the day to celebrate your independence.

And your dependence.

Happy Fourth, Beloved.