Recently, the United States celebrated its 250th anniversary of freedom.
According to Britannica.com, “Independence Day, in the United States, is the annual celebration of nationhood held on July 4. 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.”
For the Christian, “Independence Day” is the day that they trusted Jesus and made Him their Lord and Saviour. On that day, they were freed from the bondage of sin.
Every one of us is born into sin. The Psalmist said, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Psalm 51:5)
The Lord said, “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” (John 8:34)
And, not only that, the Bible says, “…the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:4)
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
Once we surrendered our life to Jesus, embracing Him as our Lord and Saviour, sin no longer has a stronghold on us. No longer being servants of sin, we became free to serve the living God and were given the free gift of eternal life.
“Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” (Romans 6:18)
“…our old man is crucified with Christ, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.” (Romans 6:6-7)
“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” (Romans 6:22)
“My chains are snapt, the bonds of sin are broken, And I am free; O let the triumphs of His grace be spoken, Who died for me.” (Margaret L. Carson, Believers Hymn Book, 1981)
Glorious Freedom
Once I was bound by sin’s galling fetters,
Chained like a slave I struggled in vain;
But I received a glorious freedom,
When Jesus broke my fetters in twain.
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Chorus:
Glorious freedom, wonderful freedom,
No more in chains of sin I repine!
Jesus the glorious Emancipator,
Now and forever He shall be mine.
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Freedom from all the carnal affections,
Freedom from envy, hatred and strife;
Freedom from vain and worldly ambitions.
Freedom from all that saddened my life.
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Freedom from pride and all sinful follies,
Freedom from love and glitter of gold;
Freedom from evil temper and anger,
Glorious freedom, rapture untold.
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Freedom from fear with all of its torments,
Freedom from care with all its pain;
Freedom in Christ my blessed Redeemer,
He who has rent my fetters in twain.
[Words by by Haldor Lillenas (1917)]
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36)