Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.  1 Peter 2:16

It’s the biggest birthday party of the year.  Tomorrow marks the annual celebration of our nation’s independence.  We show our American pride through parades, firework celebrations and red, white and blue-themed parties with friends and family.  We are a young bunch…a nation established just a little over 230 years ago.

July 4 is an important date to recognize our freedom as a country, but each day of our lives presents an opportunity to celebrate the independence granted through Jesus.

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.  Galatians 5:1

The apostle Paul wrote these words to the Christians in Galatia.  The birth and death of Jesus had freed people from the Jewish ceremonial laws and restrictive customs, but the citizens of this region had taken advantage of this independence.  They were falling away from the truth and were turning to false teachers and doctrines.

Paul encouraged the Galatians to return to the freedom created by Jesus.

For you were called to freedom, brothers.  Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  For the whole law is fulfilled in one word:  “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Galatians 5: 13-14

I am no better than the Galatians.  The world is filled with temptation and sin.  We have choices in life, and I find it difficult to make daily choices that reflect a walk of truth, love and compassion.  With freedom comes responsibility.

My prayer for today is that we all walk toward Jesus.  Let us continually seek truth- and let us have the strength to continually live lives worthy of the freedom given to us from Jesus.

Please pray for me to have this strength.  And let me know how I may pray for you.

Celebrate freedom and independence from sin today.  It’s the best birthday gift ever.

God bless.