Let Freedom Ring, Twice

Today, America celebrates freedom.

On July 4, 1776, fifty-six brave men signed the Declaration of Independence. By doing so, they sparked the birth of a nation founded on the belief that liberty is worth fighting for. They risked everything, homes, livelihoods, and lives, for an ideal they believed came not from kings or governments, but from God Himself: that all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.

I’m deeply thankful to live in the United States of America. I don’t take our freedoms lightly—freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to gather, worship, and speak truth without fear. These are gifts bought with the blood of patriots. They deserve our respect and remembrance.

This day feels even more special to me personally. July 4 is also my birthday, and it’s the same for my son. That makes this celebration of freedom feel especially meaningful. I wake up on this day with a full heart, grateful for family, faith, and the privilege of being born in this country.

But as we wave our flags and watch fireworks light up the night sky, I want to draw your attention to another kind of freedom. A deeper, everlasting freedom. One that no government can give and no enemy can take away. It’s the freedom offered by Jesus Christ.

The Truth That Sets You Free

In John 8:32, Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” A few verses later, He declared, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).

There’s something remarkable about that word: indeed. It’s not just about freedom in theory. It is not simply symbolic. Nor is it merely a metaphor. It’s authentic, soul-deep liberation from the power and penalty of sin.

We were all born under tyranny, not by a crown or constitution, but through sin’s grip. Sin doesn’t just restrict us; it controls us. It keeps people trapped in guilt, shame, addiction, and regret. But Jesus came to set us free.

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free,” Paul wrote in Galatians 5:1, “and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

When Jesus steps into a life, chains are broken. Hearts are transformed. Moreover, people leave behind old habits with renewed hope. That’s not religion. That’s freedom.

A New Kind of Independence

Our American independence was achieved through war and sacrifice. However, our spiritual freedom was gained through a cross and an empty tomb.

Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again so you could experience freedom, not just from punishment, but from sin’s control. And He offers this liberty freely to everyone.

The Bible provides a clear path:

Repent: Turn away from sin and toward God.
Be baptized in Jesus’ name: Have all your sins washed away.
Receive the gift of the Holy Ghost: Allow His Spirit to live inside you, empowering you to start a new life.

This experience isn’t limited to a select few. It’s available to everyone. “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off…” (Acts 2:39).

So, while we celebrate the birth of a nation today, why not also celebrate a new beginning in your own life?

You no longer have to carry that burden. Furthermore, you don’t have to live with shame or wonder if things will ever change. You can be born again; you can truly be free.

Let Freedom Ring, Twice

Today, I thank God for America. I thank Him for the blessings, liberty, and freedoms we cherish, as well as the legacy of freedom we hold dear.

But even more than that, I thank God for the day He set me free. That day was more than a flag-waving moment; it was a heart-healing one. It wasn’t a political revolution. It was a spiritual resurrection.

I was born free in America. But I was born again through Jesus. And that second kind of freedom.

Finally, do you want to experience this freedom for yourself? I invite you to join me at Calvary Apostolic Church in Westerville, Ohio.

Additional REading on the keys to the kingdom

Credits

Credit: OpenAI helped create my article outlines and generate the imagery. Grammarly fixed my writing errors, and Quillbot makes everything better.

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