Freedom. Independence. Liberty. All of these terms evoke feelings of joy, relief, and appreciation. On the physical level, thousands of men and women have died in order to secure and preserve the freedom that we enjoy today in the United States of America and in the other free nations around the world. Freedom from bondage and tyranny does not come without a price; freedom is not free. The price tag is measured in the lives of those who have fought and died in order to secure personal liberty and independence. During this month when we celebrate our “Independence Day” on the fourth of July, we remember and appreciate the physical freedom we possess, and we recall the lives of those who paid the ultimate price for such liberty.
In the spiritual realm, the price of freedom is unfathomable. In Galatians 5:1, we are exhorted to “stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Today, we enjoy spiritual freedom from death and the bondage of sin because Jesus Christ, the perfect God-man, suffered and died on Calvary’s cross on our behalf. Although sinless, He paid the price for our sin, reconciling us to God the Father. Without His sacrifice, we would continue to be enslaved to death and sin, having no hope in this life or the one hereafter. With this in mind, the apostle Paul exhorts believers to “stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Not only must we appreciate Jesus’ sacrifice for us, but we must show our appreciation through our conduct and attitude. We are saved from sin, not saved to sin. Our Christian walk should manifest our new life and our spiritual freedom from the bondage of sin. Oh how we thank the Lord for His sacrifice!
— Pastor Matt Costella
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