“So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36, NIV)
The Links Daily Devotional originates from the United States, so if you are reading from elsewhere you may have to forgive us today for our flag-flying and marching bands. It’s the Fourth of July, our independence day.
On this date in 1776, the founders of our country declared they were free from the rule of the king. They fought long and hard for that freedom and many gave up their lives to make it happen. Many nations have similar stories in their histories, and the outcome of freedom is celebrated with good reason.
Even if you’re an American, it has probably been a while since you’ve read the Declaration of Independence, so I’ll remind you of the famous line: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Sin is part of the human condition, and the only way to be free from its power over us is to trust and obey the only person ever to conquer it.Most of the time we forget just what we are celebrating because this mid-summer holiday indulges in fireworks, barbecues, rounds of golf, and other games. We don’t really reflect on what it took to make that series of words put down on paper into the living freedoms we take for granted today. In the midst of our current political skirmishes, we need to step back and reflect on what we enjoy every day.
Still, we believers have another kind of freedom that supersedes our national freedom. A freedom that was also bought and paid for by shed blood. Our freedom as Americans could disappear, but the freedom we experience in Jesus is eternal. If you are set free by Jesus, you will be free from the tyranny of sin that controls everyone no matter where they live. Sin is part of the human condition, and the only way to be free from its power over us is to trust and obey the only person ever to conquer it.
As we enjoy this day, let’s remember what our forefathers did to ensure our freedom and also let’s rejoice over the freedom for which Jesus paid the ultimate price. He has made us truly free, regardless of our external circumstances, not just today but forever.
As our verse for today states so eloquently, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Nothing can separate us from that kind of freedom. No war, no jail, no sickness, no death will ever conquer our true freedom in Jesus.
—
Linda Ballard
July 4, 2019
Copyright 2019 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
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