On July 4th, 1776, the world was changed forever. The “Thirteen United States of America” came together to declare their independence from Great Britain, which launched the Revolutionary War. Fifty-six individuals signed their name to the document that has cemented itself as one of the most important writings in world history, the Declaration of Independence. Little did they know while signing that document, many were signing their own death warrant for King George. Throughout the Revolutionary War, over 20,000 Americans died for the belief that all people are given the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Just think of the tremendous price that was paid for America’s independence. 246 years later, we still celebrate that independence. The price for this was steep, but the independence it bought was priceless.
When Jesus was born, the world was changed forever, but in such an incredibly and infinitely more substantial way. God the Father sent His only Son to live as a man on this Earth. He didn’t live in royalty, clothing Himself with the riches that are found here. He lived a humble life, not having a place to lay His head at night, Luke 9:58. He did not force people to follow Him. In fact, “who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross,” Philippians 2:6-8. He decided not to become an earthly king of a nation. Instead, He became the King of all nations. “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in Heaven, and those on Earth, and of those under the Earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father,” Philippians 2:10-11.
The cost of independence is great. Whether that independence is paid for by the blood of soldiers, or by the blood of the Son of God…the price of independence for one nation, or all of mankind for all time, is steep. Webster’s Dictionary defines independence, as “freedom from the control, influence, support, aid, or the like, of others.”
America’s independence is amazing. Even more so, the independence we have with Christ is far greater. Christ has bought us and freed us from the control and influence of Satan, death, and sin. How great and truly unfathomable that independence is. We are given the opportunity not just once or twice a year to celebrate our spiritual independence, but every single Sunday as we partake of the Lord’s supper and more than that, every single day in the way that we live our lives.
~Edited from Ben Hogan
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