As fireworks light up the night sky and flags ripple in the summer breeze, many of us pause to celebrate the freedoms we enjoy as citizens of the United States. But for followers of Christ, Independence Day can also invite us to reflect on another kind of freedom—a deeper, more eternal one.
Freedom is more than just the absence of tyranny. True freedom includes both freedom from and freedom to. And at both the national and spiritual level, our freedom came at a great cost.
🦅Freedom From (as a Nation)
Living in a free country like the United States means we are—at least in principle—free from many things:
Freedom from oppressive rule
Freedom from being judged by our lineage or physical appearance
Freedom from government interference in how we live, worship, speak, and move
No country is perfect, and we still have work to do. But compared to much of the world, these freedoms are incredible blessings—and they didn’t come easily.
✝️ Freedom From (Spiritually)
On a spiritual level, followers of Jesus have been given freedom from:
The crushing weight of sin
The fear of eternal separation from God
The emptiness of chasing worldly success as the ultimate prize
As the Apostle Paul reminds us in his letter to the Galatians:
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
In Christ, we are no longer bound by the law or by shame—we are free from having to earn our way to God. That burden has been lifted.
🦅 Freedom To (as a Nation)
American freedom also includes powerful freedoms to:
Freedom to pursue happiness (though not guaranteed, the opportunity to pursue it is available)
Freedom to live where we want
Even the freedom to leave and seek a different life elsewhere—though few places offer the same breadth of opportunity—is something not everyone in the world enjoys
Freedom to believe—and even disbelieve—what we choose
Freedom to live into the truth that all people are created equal
Freedom to speak our minds
Freedom to worship as we see fit
Freedom to rise above setbacks and pursue your version of the American dream with determination and hope—something many in the world only dream of
Of course, with great freedom comes great responsibility. Our rights end where they infringe on the rights of others. And Jesus modeled how to use our freedom for good—by loving our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:39).
✝️ Freedom To (Spiritually)
God’s freedom isn’t just about avoiding punishment. It’s about transformation and invitation:
Freedom to live into the wholeness, peace, and purpose Jesus offers
Freedom to start fresh, no matter our past
Freedom to pursue a relationship with the God who made us (without worrying about strictly following human-made rituals or traditions)
Freedom to reflect God’s goodness and grace in a broken world
But as Paul cautions:
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means!
Grace is not a license to do whatever we want. Instead, it frees us to become who we were meant to be—people who live in step with God’s Spirit.
🗽 The Price of Freedom
For Our Nation
From the Revolutionary War through today, countless men and women have laid down their lives to earn and protect the freedoms we now enjoy. Many of us will never know their names, but we benefit every day from their sacrifice.
So when I hear people tear down this country without acknowledging those sacrifices, I feel a deep sadness. Yes, we must always seek opportunities to improve ourselves, our communities, and our nation. But we should never lose sight of the price that’s been paid for the freedoms we often take for granted.
For Our Souls
Spiritually, the cost was even greater.
Paul writes:
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Jesus didn’t die for perfect people. He died for the broken, the lost, the proud, the rebellious—for you and me. That’s the cost of our spiritual freedom: the blood of the sinless Son of God.
🎆 Final Reflections
Freedom from. Freedom to. And the unimaginable price paid.
Reflecting upon this Independence Day weekend, let’s celebrate the blessings of our country. But let’s also go deeper. Let’s thank God for the spiritual freedom we have through Jesus—and let’s use that freedom not for ourselves, but to bless others.
Because freedom isn’t just something to protect. It’s something to live out—with gratitude, with responsibility, and with love.
🙏 Your Move
As you enjoy time with friends, fireworks, and family this weekend, take a moment to do two things:
Thank a veteran or active service member for the freedoms you enjoy
Thank God for the opportunity to live in a country that allows you to enjoy such freedoms
Thank God for the spiritual freedom available through Jesus—and ask how you can use it to bless someone else this week
Master's Canvas - Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter 