Independence Day

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death."
Romans 8:1&2

It is the time of year when we celebrate our independence here in the United States. We celebrate our freedom and our liberation from the tyrannical rule of a distant nation. Long before the birth of our nation, an Independence Day was already established. Like the independence of our nation, this also was accomplished through blood shed. The liberation that was given, was not for just one nation, but for all. The opportunity for freedom was freely given to everyone on the face of the earth, who would accept it..
    We were once held captive by a set of laws that we could not follow. No person before the time of Christ had ever been able to find righteousness before God. All were held captive by the law of sin and death. But Jesus came and set all men free from that law. He created a new freedom in which the Spirit of life rules and reigns in our lives. We no longer have to conform to a set of human laws designed to attempt to draw us closer to God. We have full access to him because of Jesus.
    The things Jesus accomplished by his death and resurrection are so completely liberating for us that we may never fully understand it all. Only on the day of our ultimate liberation from this life will we understand the magnitude of the cross. In those three days; Jesus destroyed the power of sin and death, provided a way for the lost to be saved, took the keys of death away from Satan, restored the kingdom of heaven, and paved the way for the Holy Spirit to come to those who would receive him. This is the ultimate liberation. You and I did not have to shed one drop of blood to receive our independence, Jesus did that for us.
    Today, as we think about the wonderful blessings we have as Americans, let's also think about the ultimate blessing we have in Christ. We don't have to live by the law of sin and death, we do not have to attempt to earn our way to heaven, and we do not have to bow to the evil rule of the enemy. We have been set free. We are liberated. We have been given the greatest independence ever offered. All we have to do is say "yes" to the risen Christ. Receive him and receive life. This is not a freedom brought about by the hands of men, it is an eternal freedom given by God himself. Celebrate freedom!