By Todd Barrier  

Our country celebrated Independence Day this past Monday. What a blessing it is to live in a free country. For the Christian, this is an even greater blessing than we realize sometimes. In many countries across the world, free exercise of religion is not permitted unless you are part of a state sponsored religion.  

Thanks to the men and women who have fought and died for our freedoms, we are blessed to have freedom. We take this freedom very seriously and are thankful for it. In this country and even in those where there is no religious freedom, Christians can be thankful for the same thing, freedom in Christ! Whether we live in a free society or one in which we are persecuted, we know we are all equally blessed by Christ. 

 The true freedom in life comes in a relationship with Him.  We get caught up in things of this world but the only true freedom a person can have is the knowledge of being saved by Christ. 2 Cor. 3:17 teaches us that where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. John 8:36 says if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed. Romans 8:1-2 teaches us that we are free from death and sin through Christ Jesus.  

As we think about the many who have sacrificed for our freedoms here in the U.S. let us always remember the one who set us free from sin and death. Are you free in Christ?