The celebration of one of our country’s most honored events occurs in July as we recognize and remember our independence from British rule with commemorative activities and a holiday on July 4, 2017. While we call that particular day Independence Day, there were actually a number of days, months, and even years, both preceding and following July 4, 1776, of dedication, sacrifice, and perseverance by untold numbers of people to ensure that the American Colonies would in fact be free. While representatives of 12 of the 13 colonies which made up the Continental Congress voted to approve the drafted Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 (New York approved it on July 19, 1776), the document was not signed until August of that year. Five years of fighting with Britain followed and formal recognition of the United States of America as a free and independent nation by Britain did not occur until 1783.

Freedom came with a price. Some paid for this freedom with life itself, while others with money, hardship, land, authority, privilege, and the list goes on. Some were happy before and others only after independence. Certainly life became different, not only in the new nation, but around the world. This continues to be the case as our nation stands as a case for hope to countless peoples who face tyranny and injustice.

While not focusing on the theological or faith understandings of our American ancestors, the notion of freedom and liberty did not begin with them. Scripturally speaking, Adam and Eve would be the first humans to experience freedom as God gave them the freedom to choose. In powerful words, the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians Chapter 5 reminds us that Christ has set us free.

We have been granted freedom from our sin and its accompanying brokenness and failures. By God’s grace, we are set free from the bondage to sin that results in death, to a great freedom in God with a life that is rich and abundant with God’s sanctifying grace. When we realize this and confess our sin and allow Christ Jesus to be the lord of our lives, we are given the greatest of freedoms or liberties imaginable. We are free from sin and death and free to then give our lives to the Lord. That is where true freedom and real life begins. It comes at a cost but there is so much love, peace, and hope to experience in the new life that Christ offers.

Paul writes: “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters, only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Galatians 5: 13-14, NRSV)

While Independence Day is certainly worthy of observance, I hope we can reflect a few moments that day about real liberty and freedom our God so lovingly offers. Find time to remember your Baptism and give thanks to the Lord who is the author of real freedom, and the grantor of true life.

See you in worship!
Brian