“It’s for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Gal.5:1). “When Jesus sets you free, you are really free” (Jn.8:36).
Lord Jesus, on this July 4th, 2025, the last thing I need is to declare my independence. Just the opposite—I declare my utter dependence on you as my “righteousness, holiness, and redemption” (1Cor.1:30)—my joy in life and peace about death (Phil.1:21)—the reason I live with more hope and less fear. Hallelujah!
Furthermore, even as I’m grateful for my American passport, I declare my most prized, defining, and eternal citizenship is in heaven (Phil.3:20). Keep freeing me and my friends from all forms of tribalism, racism, “me-first-ism” (3Jn.1:9)—and all other “ism’s” that contradict the Gospel and minimize your Lordship. May the only “supremacy” we’re passionate about be Christ-supremacy.
Indeed, the only people who are truly free are those you set free. How free are we? We are legally free from the demands of the Law, the power of sin, the condemnation for our guilt, and the power of shame. Jesus, make these legal freedoms, fully experienced freedoms. Chains have been broken, and prison doors are open; give us legs to run out of every cell and imprisonment.
Keep freeing us from our failed and failing fiefdoms of self-preoccupation, reputation building, and record-of-wrongs keeping. Jesus, we DO want to love others as you love us—forgiving and forbearing, encouraging and serving, enjoying and encouraging some more. More freedom to do so, please.
By the truth and power of the Gospel, free us from other “stuff,” stories, and situations that sabotage our freedom more than we realize. Yea, verily, and So Very Amen.
