Independence Day is such a fun holiday! I love getting together with family and friends, eating, playing, and watching fireworks. It is also a time to count our blessings.

During the Fourth of July holiday many correlations are made between our freedom as Americans and the freedom we receive through our relationship with Jesus and his work for us through his life, death, and resurrection. I would like to head in a slightly different direction today.

Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teaching. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32, CEB)

There is nothing magical about truth. Acquiring it will not gain you freedom. Jesus said that freedom comes from living faithfully to his teaching. Truth is revealed through the pressures of living faithfully. How we respond to that truth indicates the level of freedom we experience. The choice is up to us. Jesus sets the path before us. We just need to be responsible to see it through. He is faithful, though, to walk that path along side us.

Here is a patriotic quote that sums it up.

“I recommend that the Statue of Liberty be supplemented by a Statue of Responsibility on the west coast.”
— Viktor E. Frankl

Grace and peace,
Brook