Articles
Christian Independence
The Fourth of July is truly an All-American holiday. For the most part, this is a day set aside to celebrate the liberties we enjoy as citizens in this country. We celebrate because we are thankful, be it to God or man. The day of America’s Independence is a day to rejoice in the freedom won by the blood of our forefathers. Christianity can be paralleled to this in several ways.
Many died that America’s freedom could be declared and maintained. For the Christian, the death of one man made freedom from sin possible (Rom. 5). Until Christ, mankind was under bondage to sin. Jesus Christ died to free men from that bondage. This is the reason God sent Him (Jn. 8:31-36). It is through His blood that we can have remission of our sins (Eph. 1:7). The only way to come into contact with that blood is to be a part of His body, the church (Col. 1:18, 24). The only way to become a part of His body is baptism—complete immersion in water (Gal. 3:27).
Citizenship in America grants one the right to share the blessings we have in this country. Likewise, a person must become a citizen of the kingdom of heaven to enjoy its blessings (Col. 1:12-14). Citizens of God’s kingdom enjoy blessings such as: a heavenly Father, adoption, forgiveness, redemption, mercy, grace, love, eternal life, true riches, prayer, and many other blessings. Law abiding citizens enjoy these blessings. Those who transgress or fall short of these laws must make things right before God to keep these blessings (I Jn. 1:8-9).
As Americans rejoice in their freedom, Christians should rejoice in their freedom in Christ. Like the Ethiopian eunuch, a Christian who has been released from the debt of his sin should rejoice and rejoice indeed (Acts 8:36-39). God and the angels rejoice over one sinner who repents (Lk. 15:10).
A free country is a blessing that is often unappreciated by those who have never known oppression. The freedom we celebrate on July 4th is a wonderful inheritance. Greater yet is the wonderful freedom a Christian celebrates in Christ Jesus—our ETERNAL inheritance. His blood paid for our salvation—take up your cross and follow Him (Lk. 9:23; Mk. 10:21)!
