Happy Fourth of July! Is Freedom Free?

We’re free—only because someone gave up something. The early settlers in the United States fought for freedom from the British. The British and Colonists fought, and people lost their lives for freedom. The British had to step back to give the Colonies their freedom.

Examples of freedom from oppression goes back in Biblical history to the Hebrew slaves in Egypt.

If you buy a Hebrew slave, he may serve for no more than six years. Set him free in the seventh year, and he will owe you nothing for his freedom. Exodus 21:2

Freedom in a Christian’s life means that sins are forgiven by God—because Jesus took our sins to the cross. Freedom means release from guilt and the peace that only God can provide. True Freedom!

Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace. Romans 6:14

As Paul wrote to the church at Rome, we are…or were…slaves to sin.

Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy. Romans 6:19

So is freedom, as the Lord challenged Job and his friends, like a stubborn, wild animal?

Wild donkeys in Arizona.
Who set them free?

Who gives the wild donkey its freedom? Who untied its ropes? Job 39:5

Who is like the wild donkey? Are you like a wild donkey and who tied you up? Who will untie you and give you your freedom?

For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17

But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God's promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ. Galatians 3:22

I’m claiming this freedom for myself. You can too. Trust the Lord to provide freedom—spiritually and physically—for you.

 

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." "But we are descendants of Abraham," they said. "We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, 'You will be set free'?" Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. John 8:31-36

 

Prayer – Lord Jesus, Thank You for setting us free by going to the cross just for us. You are awesome. Freedom is truly a gift from You.

 

Meditate. Consider freedom.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

 

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

No such thing as a “free” lunch. Is anything in this life really ‘free?’ Salvation is free…but it costs you giving up your sins. Does that include giving up old eating habits that are unhealthy? Can you give up sugar, white flour, and food additives? We don’t really need those things in our lives.

Can we substitute something else? How about replacing the sugar with local honey with its inflammation preventing properties? That seems like a good exchange. With what could you replace white flour? There are whole wheat or whole grain flour options, as well as gluten-free alternative flours. Food additives vary with their use, so we can’t just say do away them. If you are following the news, you’ve heard that European countries don’t allow some of the additives that we do. It’s good that we are looking at reducing the additives in our foods and the effect they have on our bodies. Continue to follow that issue. You might not get anything “free” by knowing about it…but it may set you free from the bondage of food additives and addictions.

 

© 2025 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. 

 

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

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