I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The United States Pledge of Allegiance

Blessed and prosperous is that nation who has God as their Lord! They will be the people he has chosen for his own. Psalm 33:12 (The Passion Translation, TPT)

Our nation was founded as a constitutional republic, acknowledging God as her Leader. Freedom from tyranny and oppression has always been a guiding principle for our country and for our people. Our national anthem proclaims that we are the land of the free and the home of the brave. Freedom is a powerful and desirable thing for any nation. And in recent days, we have been fighting a very real threat to that freedom. And we will win that fight. However, there is another battle for freedom- freedom of the individual.

Every single person was created by God to be free- free from sin and death. He made us to have liberty from the bondage of the devil. And when we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, we also receive that liberty, because Jesus died and rose again, taking the keys of death, hell and the grave. There is no greater freedom than the freedom that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ. We are no longer bound by sin, but we are free in Christ. We are not shackled to the curse that comes from sin- the curse of sickness, poverty and spiritual death. We are now blessed and prosperous. Even in an oppressive regime, people can have freedom in Christ. Even in a prison cell, people can have freedom in Christ. There is nothing more freeing than knowing your sins are forgiven and you are accepted by you heavenly Father.

So, today, we celebrate our national freedom. And we call forth the Republic of the United States of America to her rightful place and to her God-given liberty. And at the same time, we proclaim liberty to the captives, to those who are bound by sin. We declare liberty and justice FOR ALL- in Jesus’ Name!

Have a blessed and joyful 4th of July! Let freedom ring!