So, what is freedom?

July 4 we celebrate Independence Day. It is a time for our nation to reflect on gaining our independence from Great Britain. However, is that day as significant as the independence and freedom we possess as individuals? As important as July 4 is to us in the United States, there is a much more important freedom granted to every person that is ever born. It is the freedom of choice. The Bible makes it clear in 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV) that true freedom exists when Jesus spirit is at work in an individual’s life, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

Peter tells us in 1 Peter 2:17 to “Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.” Jesus purchased our freedom from sin by His death on the cross. But we have to make the choice of accepting what He has purchased for us by choosing to become servants of God. When we serve Jesus, we will choose to avoid evil and selfishness. You and I have the privilege to choose, as free people, to be change agents of freedom for others. Paul says in Galatians 5:11, “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love.”

So what is freedom? True freedom is being free from sin by living for Jesus and loving and serving others. Choose to be free.