Why Independence Day is a Good Day for Christians
By Zack DeBerry
Why Independence Day is a Good Day for Christians
There are several holidays through the year that can carry weight for a follower of Jesus Christ. Easter, Christmas, and…Independence Day? At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of our Savior and King. At Easter, we celebrate the end of the reign of death and sin for the believer. And Independence Day can be a great reminder of the freedom that we have as followers of Christ.
We celebrate our independence as a country on July 4th every year. It is a time to celebrate the sacrifices that have been made to keep us free from tyranny; it is a time to gather with family and friends; it is a time to reflect on what it means to be a citizen and have certain rights that others in the world long for. I want to propose that as great as Independence Day is for us as Americans, it can also give us a deeper appreciation for what it means to be free from sin and death.
There are many parallels between Independence Day and the freedom that Jesus Christ gives us as followers of Christ. Just as we celebrate and honor the sacrifices that keep our country free, we should also take time to celebrate and honor God for the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus gave to give us freedom from sin and death. Just as we celebrate the rights we have as Americans, we should also celebrate the incredible power and rights we have as followers of Christ. Just as we celebrate with family and friends with cookouts and fireworks, we should celebrate the fact that we have been adopted into an everlasting family through the work of Jesus Christ.
One of the more popular verses of scripture as it pertains to freedom in Christ is found in Galatians Chapter 5. As we enter into a study of Galatians as a church, it’s important to remember that even as we have been set free from sin and death, many folks still live as though they are still trapped in the bondage of slavery. The church of Galatia was caught in this trap. Rather than celebrate the freedom that existed because of the work of Jesus Christ, they continued to strap weights on bondage through rules and regulations. Paul goes on a teaching tirade about what Christ really did, and begins to close his thoughts in Chapter 5. Verse 1 of Chapter 5 is timely for us on this Independence Day. Paul writes, “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.”
So, let’s celebrate our freedom as Americans today, but more importantly, let’s never forget the ultimate freedom we have in Jesus Christ. Happy Independence Day…from sin and death.