This coming week we celebrate the United States’ 241st birthday. All the way back in 1776, the 13 British started colonies in the continent of North America protested the limitations placed on them by the king of England (King George). As a sign of desiring freedom, the colonies engaged in a struggle that birthed a brand-new republic unlike anything the world had ever seen before. This infant nation soon adopted that now-famous document known as the Declaration of Independence declaring their newfound freedom and choice to retain full control over their policies, people, and future.

But that isn’t the only cry of freedom the world has seen. Sometime around 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ cried out on the cross, “Tetelestai” (Greek for the phrase -“It is finished”), proclaiming the believer’s “declaration of independence” that has set the captive free. All of humanity was under the tyranny of sin and death without hope or a future. But Christ, the sinless One, took our place on that cross all those years ago and died for our sins. Having satisfied God’s righteous demands, He now sets free for eternity all who trust in Him.

Paul wrote to the church in Galatia, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us” (Gal. 3:13). And Romans 8 assures us, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus . . . . For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (vv.1-2). Jesus told his followers all those years ago and tells us today the same thing – “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!”

We are thankful to God for the freedom we enjoy in this great nation of our. But above all, believers everywhere around our country as we celebrate independence as a nation that dates back almost 25 years, we can praise Him for the freedom that is found in Christ that leads us to eternity!