As America celebrates their independence I am reminded of the only freedom that carries over after death- salvation. This is a freedom that is often scoffed and ridiculed because of how it was secured. Many cannot understand why a divine being would want to sacrifice themselves for imperfect and wretched people. Moreover, cannot wrap their minds around Jesus coming lowly and not lofty. In a world centered around who has the best car or house before the age of 25, it is quite difficult to understand a royal God not coming in a royal fashion.

We want the glitz and refuse the grit while forfeiting the everlasting glory that comes with salvation. Yes, Jesus came humbly to be our example of how we should live out our independence in Christ. He exemplified what it means for our treasures to be stored in Heaven where there is no corruption oppose to solely focusing on what we can gain while on earth. There is a narrative that those in Christ live a confined life but it is quite the contrary. We live a refined life – a life worth living. God is offering a life not ruled by fleshly desires and instability. We see far too often the rich and lavish but ignore how those same people are imprisoned by the very wealth that should be providing freedom.

They have freedom to shop but no peace of mind. Sure, they have equity but lack the freedom of unspeakable joy – the joy that doesn’t come from material possesions. God wants us to understand that life is more than what the natural eye can see. It’s time to live in the freedom that was bought for us in Christ.