High Cost of Freedom

“It was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed…but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”—1 Peter 1:18-19

Celebrating Independence Day, known by many as the Fourth of July, has come to mean eating picnic lunches, watching fireworks, and traveling. Along with the traveling we may also complain about the high price of gasoline, but few of us take the time to consider the high cost of the freedom we enjoy. Try it just once. Read over the Declaration of Independence.

The last line of the Declaration of Independence reads, “For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” The 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were not radical wild-eyes ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security and possessions, but they valued freedom more. Many of them lost their lives and their fortunes, but not their sacred honor.

This Independence Day, let us pause and remember those men and women who paid dearly for our freedom. On Memorial Day, we remembered those who gave their lives for our freedom. We remember the 618,000 who died in the Civil War and the nearly half a million who died in World War 2. World War 1, Korea, and Vietnam deaths totaled over 200,000. In recent years and even today, although the numbers do not compare to those of earlier conflicts, we hear reports of young soldiers who pay the ultimate price for freedom. The death toll from Operation Iraqi Freedom is nearly 4,500 and from Afghanistan’s Operation Enduring Freedom over 1,600. The high cost of freedom includes the sacrifices made by military families as well.

Jesus signed our spiritual Declaration of Independence on the Cross with His blood. Just as the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence declared the colonies free from England, so Jesus Christ declared human beings to be free from sin and sin’s punishment. John 19:30 records, “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” Another passage declares, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

What have you done to live out Jesus’ Declaration of Independence for you? Just as the American Colonies had to live out or live into the declaration they had made, so each of us must decide if we will receive Jesus’ offer of salvation. Our freedom from sin and death cost Jesus Christ, God’s Son, God Himself, His life. The scripture rightly asks, “How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?” (Hebrews 2:3)

How did you celebrate Independence Day this July 4^th? A better more eternal question might be, “How will you respond to God’s offer of salvation and freedom from sin and death?” God loves you so much that He gave Jesus Christ to die in your place. God’s Holy Spirit is calling each of us to respond and receive His love and forgiveness. Let us consider the high cost of our freedom this day and invite Jesus Christ into our hearts and lives.