05 Jul What Should Churches Celebrate on the 4th of July?

The question in the title of this post was asked on Facebook by a church. It led to a lengthy debate involving patriotism and Christ-following. The answer is both obvious and complex. The obvious answer is that we should celebrate freedom. What that looks like is complex. On July 4, Americans celebrated the nation’s 250^th birthday; the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Most celebrated the individual freedoms that Americans enjoy, especially those listed in the Bill of Rights in the U.S. Constitution: The freedom of speech, assembly, religion, fair trial and others. Indeed, the freedom we enjoy in the United States is a tremendous blessing from God. Like all his blessings, we are to use it to give glory to Him. Instead, we often use it in ways that lead to things that don’t sound much like freedom:

• Temporary Freedom
• Anxiety and Stress
• Self-Dependence
• Regret and Shame
• Loneliness
• Emptiness Without God

Ah, but when we seek freedom in Christ:

• True Freedom
• Peace That Lasts
• Purpose and Meaning
• Love That Heals
• Hope for Eternity

Too often we use our earthly freedom on hollow pursuits that, at best, bring short-term happiness. When we use that freedom to surrender our lives to God, things change in a way we cannot imagine. If you haven’t surrendered yet, God is waiting for you to make your “declaration of dependence” to Him. It goes like this:

“Jesus, right now, I ask you to become Lord of my life. You are my Savior and I thank You for the sacrifice You made on the cross. I receive Your grace and confidently believe that my life is forever changed. Jesus, help me to live for You. My heart and my life are open to what You have for me. I want to know Your ways and love people as You love me. Everything within me is submitted to You. Thank You for Your mercy, hope, and unfailing love. In Your name I pray, Amen.”

Making this declaration doesn’t mean that you cannot continue to enjoy the earthly freedoms we enjoy in this country. It does mean you will enjoy them in new ways you could have never imagined. The freedom to share Jesus with others, to serve others before yourself, to have joy, peace, and contentment even in the most difficult trials in a way that earthly freedom alone can never provide. What we call Independence Day has come and gone. The unequaled gift of dependence on God is here forever. I pray you make your declaration of dependence on Him today!

³⁴ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. ³⁵ Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. ³⁶ So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:34-36 (NIV)

Pastor Jerry Bader