Like many people around our country today, you’re probably making preparations to celebrate Independence Day with a run, barbecue, float trip, fireworks, or all of the above. But, like many other people around our country today, you might not fully understand what it is you’re celebrating.
Luckily, the Encyclopedia Brittanica gives us the scoop on the 4th of July: It commemorates the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. This document announced the separation of the 13 North American colonies from Great Britain. In 1870 the U.S. Congress made Independence Day an unpaid holiday for federal workers, and in 1938 it became a paid federal holiday. Also called the Fourth of July, the holiday is celebrated across the United States with parades, fireworks, shows, picnics, concerts, and other festivities. Independence Day is also notable for its displays of patriotism, as many Americans commemorate the day by flying the American flag and dressing in the flag’s colors of red, white, and blue.
And, you know, while I was thinking about how grateful I was to live in the greatest country on earth where I have the freedom to openly worship my Creator yesterday, I remembered a Church billboard I once read that said, "TRUE INDEPENDENCE IS DEPENDENCE ON JESUS." Hmmm, I thought then and I thought now. What does that really mean?
Well, if independence can be defined as the state of showing a desire for freedom, and freedom defined as liberation from slavery, I'd say it means that true independence can only result from being released from the chains of the bondage of sin. And that release can only come from our dependence on--or our putting our complete reliance, confidence and trust in--Jesus.
You see, it's only when we accept Jesus as our Savior and truly believe that God loves, accepts and forgives us, that we are free from the burden of sin and free to live for Him knowing that, "the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."
So let us celebrate our true independence today by singing praises to the Lord my friend. And let us never forget, as William Barclay said, that "Christian freedom does not mean being free to do as we like: it means being free to do as we ought." That's true independence from sin.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that true independence and freedom comes from knowing who we are in You and knowing that You have released us from the chains of sin and condemnation to live as sons and daughters of the King. May this knowledge refresh our hearts today as we celebrate what it truly means to be free. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
Happy Running!!!
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