Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Today, Americans will celebrate the Fourth Of July, in honor of our independence. The Holy Spirit is inspiring me to share thoughts related to being independent, or free.

The first thought, is that God freed us from Sin to live for Him.

In Today’s scripture, Romans 6:14-18 (NLT) we read…
[14] Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. [15] Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! [16] Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. [17] Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. [18] Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.

Consider…
America’s Declaration of Independence ends with…

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

It’s interesting that the United States of America began with a group of people declaring themselves free from the British government. It’s equally interesting, this declaration concluded with a pledge to one another.

This blog isn’t an Op-ed about the United States of America’s independence. Rather, it’s seizing an opportunity to focus God’s purpose for declaring freedom for those who belong to Christ. Thus, whereas today is America’s celebration of a ‘Declaration Of Independence’ from Great Britain, here in America, the Holy Spirit is telling believers to similarly take a moment to recognize that God declares us free from Sin to live for Him.

The Holy Spirit used 2 Corinthians 5:15 (NLT) to emphasize this truth…
[15] He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.

Believers love to celebrate the fact that Christ died for us. Yet, in the verse just cited, we read a key caveat that is seldom, if ever, mentioned…
He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ

Christ sacrificial death had a living expectation for those who accept Him as Lord and Savior.

This brings Romans 12:1 (NLT) to mind…
[1] And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

Christ was a dying sacrifice for us, so that we be living sacrifice for Him.

This brings me to a key thought about our freedom in Christ. Galatians 5:13 (NLT) declares…
[13] For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

Our living sacrifice is serving and loving others like Christ did for us. In fact 1 John 3:16 (NLT) declares…
[16] We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.

Whereas, America’s declaration of Independence is freedom from another government, God declares us free from our selfish desires to serve and love others, for Him.

In addition to being free to serve and love others for Christ, the Holy Spirit is telling me that we are freed from…

• The Penalty of sin. Romans 6:23 (NLT) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

And…

• The Power of sin. Romans 6:6-7 (NLT) We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. [7] For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.

However, today’s scripture also reminds us…
Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey?

This highlights another key point of our freedom in Christ, which is similar to what America was declaring, that is the freedom to choose.

A popular talking point amongst Christians, is the idea of free will. According to AI…
Free will is the concept that humans have the capacity to make their own choices and control their actions, independent of external forces or predetermined factors.

While that is a good definition, I don’t believe it was God’s intention. I say that because Philippians 2:13 (NLT) tells us…
[13] For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

God is continually nudging us to want to please Him.

That’s why Romans 12:2 (NLT) tells us…
[2] Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

And Romans 6:22 (NLT) declares…
[22] But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.

You see our concept of freedom is askew. I think many people see freedom as permission to do what they want to do, however they don’t realize that just means they’re slaves to their own passions and desires.

Titus 3:3 (NLT) explains…
[3] Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.

Here’s the epiphany that the Holy Spirit just gave me, God freed us from the mind control of our sinful desires. Romans 8:5-9 (NLT) explains…
[5] Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. [6] So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. [7] For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. [8] That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. [9] But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)

God declares us free to choose to let the Holy Spirit control our minds. That’s why Galatians 5:16-17 (NLT) exhorts…
[16] So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. [17] The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

So today, as American citizens celebrate their independence, be inspired to recognize your need for full dependence on the Holy Spirit to live free from sin.

And remember, God freed us from the penalty and power of sin, to live, love and serve for Him.

Bonus thought: The Holy Spirit gave me a spelling lesson.

Obeying Sin is about Satisfying Internal Narcissism, but obeying the Son is about Serving Others Needs

We’re freed to obey God’s Son, instead of our Sin! Therefore, live, love and serve for, and like Him!

Today’s song is…
Free Indeed (You Said I Am)

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)