“The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.” Romans 6:10-12 (NIV)
“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 (KJV)
“When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind require that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
– US Declaration of Independence opening words; written by Thomas Jefferson.
With grateful hearts, we exalt and glorify the Almighty God for our forefathers who refused to be ruled by the human tyranny imposed upon them. Their decision, commitment, and sacrifices form the foundation upon which our liberties rest. Let us remember them with respect and honor as we celebrate the freedom they initiated.
Let us also, with grateful hearts, exalt the Resurrected Christ for refusing to leave mankind in the slavery to which our adversary had subjected us. Jesus gave us a spiritual declaration of independence that dissolves the spiritual bond between us and the powers of sin. In fact, by God’s grace through faith in his sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary, we are entitled to the separate and equal status of heir with Jesus Christ. This entitlement alone should be enough to impel us toward declaring our separation from the practice of sin.
It is Christ who truly gives life and liberty. His life and liberty enable us to pursue true happiness. Thanks be unto God who always gives us victory!
Dear Father, thank you for the life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness with which you have blessed us and our country. Enable us to also pursue the life, liberty, and happiness that comes only through your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today in your separation from bondage,