This past Sunday, Americans celebrated the independence of the United States of America. The 4th of July has become a day and symbol for celebration for freedom. The question becomes, how free do you feel on July 5th? For many around the world, they are suppressed and imprisoned for their relationship with the Heavenly Father. However, they are freer than most Americans because they have found true freedom in Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul states in Roman 8:35 that: Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

Our Heavenly Father has been working and planning to provide a way for reconciliation with Him in order that we may have a relationship with Him. His desire is to free us from the bondage of sin and bring us into His kingdom that sets the captives free. In Galatians 5:13 Paul reminds us: For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. Jesus Christ fulfilled the plan that had been set into place before this world ever was created. We are informed of this in 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

In Luke 4:18, Jesus quotes what Isaiah said about the Messiah, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Again Jesus tells us in His word in John 8:34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. Jesus Christ accomplished everything to bring about our true freedom by His death, burial and resurrection. Freedom is never free, it always cost. Jesus gladly paid the price for each of us. Would you like to experience true freedom? 2 Corinthians 3:2 states: 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. I pray that you will seek the true freedom that may be enjoyed each day liberally.