Galatians 5:13 (NLT)
13 For you have been called to live in freedom--not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love.

Paul tells the Galatians they have been called by God to live in, “eleutheria”, a liberty or a license to do a one pleases, but not in regards or relationship to salvation. But they must be careful not to let that same freedom satisfy their sinful nature, which is always hostile towards God according to Romans. Romans 8:7 says, “It never did obey God’s laws and it never will.” Instead they should take their freedom and use it to serve one another in love.

July 4th, Independence Day is our only holiday celebrating the freedom of the United States as a whole. The day is marked by patriotic displays, parades, banners and family gatherings for picnics and festivities. It is a day where people take off work to celebrate their freedom and go out to ballgames, and watch public displays of fireworks. Some have created special traditions like hot dog and watermelon eating contests as a way of settling disputes as to who is most patriotic. It is freedom being celebrated by everyone to acknowledge their independence. But there is a greater freedom to be found in the saving grace of Jesus Christ and many people celebrate His death, burial and resurrection during Easter. They are two different holidays. One is a holiday to remember those who fought to win our freedom to live free in this wonderful country of the United States of America. The other holiday is to remember our Savior Jesus Christ who died to win our freedom for eternal life with Him. Pray and remember the fallen heroes who died for us that we might be free and ask that this country may continue to be protected. Pray and give thanks to our Savior for His grace, mercy and love that gives us eternal freedom to be with Him. Give praise and blessing to the Father and Son who so richly bless us.