Freedom Worth Celebrating: Honoring America and the Freedom We Have in Christ

Hey, it's Ronai!

As Independence Day approaches, I've been thinking a lot about freedom.

First, I want to say thank you.

Thank you to every man and woman currently serving in our military. Thank you to every veteran who has sacrificed time with family, endured hardships, and stood ready to protect the freedoms so many of us enjoy every single day. Thank you to the families who serve alongside them through deployments, missed holidays, and countless sacrifices that often go unseen.

I'm also grateful for our nation's forefathers who believed that freedom was worth fighting for. Their courage helped establish a country where we can worship, speak, gather, and live with liberties that many people around the world still long for.

Freedom is a gift.

But as I've reflected this week, I've realized there is another freedom that has completely changed my life.

The freedom we have in Christ.

A while back, I was in Utah selling my book at a street event. I had my street vendor's license, my books displayed on the table, and I was doing what I love most—talking with people about how Christ lives in us and how God has uniquely designed each of us for His purpose.

One woman stopped by my booth and began asking question after question. She had studied theology for over twenty years and eventually asked me what church I attended.

I smiled and said, "I go to an Evangelical Free Church."

She looked at me and asked, "What's the Free? Is that like sugar-free? Jell-O Free?"

I was confused.

Then she said, "Evangelicals are supposed to be proclaiming the Gospel."

I remember thinking, Isn't that exactly what I'm doing? Here I was standing on a street corner talking about Jesus with anyone willing to stop and have a conversation.

Then she asked what the "Free" actually meant.

I'll admit it.

I didn't know.

At the time, I had recently returned to church after over a decade away and had spent time visiting different churches. When I found the one I now call home, I simply asked God, "Is this where You want me?" His answer was yes.

So I told her the truth.

"I honestly don't know what the 'Free' means. I just know when I walk through those doors, I feel at home. My pastor teaches directly from God's Word, and when I asked God if this was where He wanted me, He said yes."

She looked at me for a moment and finally said, "Well... I'll think about it."

Then she set my book down and walked away.

A few minutes later, another woman who had overheard the entire conversation walked up to my table.

She smiled and said something I'll never forget.

"I appreciated that you simply said you didn't know. You were honest, and then you shared what God had done in your life."

She picked up my book and said, "I'll take this one."

That moment reminded me of something incredibly important.

People aren't looking for someone who has every answer.

They're looking for someone who knows Jesus.

There are many Christian denominations, and each has traditions, practices, and interpretations that they hold dear. While those differences exist, I sometimes wonder if Jesus looks at all of us and simply longs for His followers to remember what unites us.

Our Savior.

The One who willingly gave His life for us.

The One who conquered death.

The One who offers forgiveness, hope, peace, and eternal life.

That is the freedom that changes everything.

As someone who attends an Evangelical Free Church, I've since learned that the word Free doesn't mean free from proclaiming the Gospel—it means freedom from a governing denominational hierarchy. Each congregation is self-governing while remaining firmly committed to the authority of Scripture and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I think that's pretty fitting, especially this time of year.

This Fourth of July, I hope we celebrate both freedoms.

The freedom purchased through incredible sacrifice by those who have defended this nation.

And the freedom purchased through the greatest sacrifice ever made—Jesus Christ giving His life on the cross for ours.

Because of Him, I don't have to carry my guilt.

I don't have to earn His love.

I don't have to wonder if I'm enough.

I am forgiven.

I am redeemed.

I am loved.

I am free.

As we celebrate Independence Day, may we never take either of these freedoms for granted. Let's thank those who have served and continue to serve our country, pray for the men and women who protect our freedoms today, and give thanks to our Savior, who secured an eternal freedom that can never be taken away.

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
— Galatians 5:1

And may we also remember the beautiful promise Jesus gave us:

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
— John 8:36

Now that's a freedom worth celebrating.

Happy Fourth of July!

God bless you, and God bless America.