Today, we Americans celebrate the day 235 years ago, when a group of men signed a Declaration of Independence from Great Britain.  That courageous act put all their lives on the line, and initiated a war for independence that resulted in the creation of a new nation in the "New World."  We all know of these historic events, but what we may not recognize is every freedom we enjoyed cost someone something.  This is never truer than when we think of the freedoms we have in and through our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Jesus gave up EQUALITY WITH GOD in order to come to the earth in the first place (See Philippians 2:5-11).  Then He put up with a lifetime (albeit a rather short one in human terms since it lasted only about thirty-three years) of human frailty and temptation, in order to get to the point that He voluntarily submitted Himself to the mockery of a trial, a horrendous beating and then crucifixion---all for US!  His perfect life was substituted on the cross for our sinful lives, and the result for us is FREEDOM!  We may know the ultimate freedoms--freedom from sin and death, because He gave up His freedom.

So as we go about the day, enjoying picnics, fireworks displays, family get togethers and whatever we do to celebrate our independence from Great Britain, let's pause and thank God for everyone who has ever given up a freedom in order to give us freedom, and especially those who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms.  Let's start with Jesus, without whose sacrifice none of our personal and political freedoms would matter.

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to give us the ultimate freedom we enjoy from sin and death.  Thank You, too, for giving our founding leaders the courage to establish a free society where we may worship and serve you, and from which we may go into all the world and make Jesus known.  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.