July 4, 2026 Devo

Today we celebrate our 250th birthday of independence as a nation. We often forget how blessed we are as a country. In fact, hosting the World Cup soccer event here in the U.S. has made many from around the world appreciate this great country of ours. Simple things that we take for granted, like air conditioning, ice in our drinks, the variety of available eating places, and, of course, the beauty of our country and the ability to simply drive around and enjoy it. Our freedom is precious and sacred. Today is a good day to remember that.
But since we are celebrating freedom, maybe it’s a good day to celebrate the freedom that we can only find in Jesus Christ. Because that’s the most precious freedom of all! When I was in college, I had a T-shirt that had a silhouetted image of Jesus on the front with the words, “The Liberator.” On the back, it said, “I’m free!” One time when I had it on in a Burger King down the street from campus, someone in line behind me tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Free from what?” I turned and smiled and said, “Sin.”
Sin is the one thing we ALL need to be set free from, and Jesus is the only one who can do it. Think about it. Jesus set us free from the debt of sin. That’s why when Jesus died on the cross, He said, “It is finished.” That phrase literally meant, “Paid in full.” Jesus also sets us free from the penalty of sin. The Bible tells us that the penalty of sin is death, but God’s gift through Jesus is a New Life. Thank you, Jesus! Jesus also sets us free from the bondage of sin. Sometimes sin gets its hooks deep into us through addictions, attitudes, and patterns of behavior that hold us hostage. But Jesus can break those chains, remove those hooks. He is the True Higher Power we need! Jesus also frees us from the destructive nature of sin in our lives and relationships. As He forgives our sins, He also transforms our lives. We become the husbands and wives we’re supposed to be. We become the parents, friends, and workers we’re supposed to be. He changes how we talk to other people, treat other people, and forgive other people. Think for a moment what a mess your life would be without the gracious, transforming work that Christ does in us. He sets us free, not only from the messes we made, but also from the messes we WOULD HAVE MADE without Him!
So on this day that we celebrate freedom, thank God you live in a country that is free. But if you’ve accepted Christ as your Savior, thank Him, too, for the One who lives in you! He has given you a freedom no one else can. If you’ve not yet accepted Christ as your Savior, today would be a Great Day to do so. He’s the only one who can pay the debt, save you from the penalty, break the chains of your addiction, and help you live the life you truly want to live. Jesus said it Himself. “So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” Amen, Lord Jesus. Amen! That’s God’s Word for you today.