Realizing Our National and Spiritual Freedom

John 8:32
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (NKJV)

This week we celebrate the 4th of July, Independence Day. It is a day where we will celebrate by eating hot dogs and hamburgers, going on picnics, and playing in the parks. Perhaps going swimming, but usually spending time with family and friends - just to relax and have a good time. But let us never forget the significance of this day; a day to remember those who have fought hard and won our freedom for us.

Our freedom came at a great price: it cost our forefathers TREMEMDOUS sacrifices - it cost many of them their very lives to develop this nation - "One Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all". We have, because of their fight, their struggle, the right to pursue life, liberty and happiness.

As we think of the freedoms we enjoy in our land, I would encourage you to spend some time in thankfulness to the Lord for those freedoms. Let us never neglect to be thankful for all that we have in our country. But it also makes us think of another freedom, the freedom that we have spiritually - the freedom that we have if we know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. He said in John 8:32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

In that eighth chapter in the book of John, He was talking and telling them of the truth of God and the forgiveness of sins, and that He himself was the one who had come to save them from their sins. Many didn't believe, but to those who did, He said this truth will set you free, and you will have great freedom. Like our forefathers and the freedom that we have in our country, our spiritual freedom came at a great price - the price of Jesus Christ giving of His very own life; coming from heaven, giving up that to come to earth, coming to the cross to give His physical life for us. How incredible that He would sacrifice for us, but He did it because He wanted for us to have that freedom - freedom from sin, from its power, from its presence, and freedom to live in Him.

I encourage you as you think of the freedoms in our land to thank God for that. But pause to thank God for the freedom that you have in Christ as you know Him. If you don't yet know Him, study that third chapter of the book of John, and come to Him recognizing that He is the truth, the way, and the life and He longs to set you free.

By Dr. Ann Shorb

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Related Articles and Devotionals:
Finding Peace Through Christ's Death
Forgetting? Remember!
The Fight for Freedom

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