The night was dark, the water was rough, and the mission seemed almost impossible. A group of exhausted soldiers, led by General George Washington, rowed quietly across the icy Delaware River on Christmas night in 1776. Their chances looked slim—morale was low, they lacked supplies, and defeat seemed just around the corner. But Washington pressed forward, trusting that something greater was possible even when everything around him said otherwise.
That daring move led to a surprising and much-needed victory in the Battle of Trenton. It gave new hope to a struggling nation. This wasn't just about military strategy—it was about courage, perseverance, and faith. The war wasn’t over, but that moment proved that breakthroughs can come when we refuse to give up, even in our darkest hour.
As we celebrate the 4th of July, we honor the sacrifices made for our nation’s freedom. But there's an even deeper kind of freedom available to every person—no matter where you live or what country you call home. It’s the freedom that comes from knowing Jesus.
The Apostle Paul once wrote,
“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, NIV)
At first glance, that verse might sound confusing. Paul wasn’t talking about being set free from a human government or physical chains. He was talking about a different kind of burden—the kind people carry in their hearts and minds.
Many people feel like they have to be perfect to be accepted by God. They try hard to be good enough, follow the rules, go to church, or do religious things to earn God’s approval. But no matter how hard they try, it never feels like enough. That’s the kind of pressure Paul was addressing.
What’s important to understand is that God doesn’t want perfection from us. Instead, He wants us to change and grow—because that change will bless our lives and help us avoid many of the problems we create for ourselves. He isn’t looking to judge us by a strict checklist or to trap us with rules. Rather, He desires a slow, steady transformation that happens over time, without pressure or fear. This process leads to a closer relationship with Him and a better, more peaceful life—bringing freedom and peace of mind and heart as our love for God grows and we experience His guidance and personal transformation.
That’s what Paul meant by freedom.
- Freedom from guilt.
- Freedom from fear.
- Freedom from feeling like we have to earn God’s love.
When Paul says, “Stand firm,” he’s encouraging us to hold on to that truth and not slide back into the mindset that says we have to perform or prove our worth. Jesus didn’t rescue us so we could go back to living under pressure. He freed us so we could walk in peace, knowing we belong to Him.
Even some of America’s founding fathers understood that true freedom needed a foundation deeper than politics. John Adams once said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” In simple terms, he was saying that without hearts guided by faith and moral character, freedom wouldn’t last.
And isn’t that the same in our personal lives?
God gives us freedom, but if we forget what He’s done for us—or if we ignore it—we end up back where we started: weighed down by fear, worry, or pressure to prove ourselves.
When Washington crossed that icy river, he didn’t know what would happen. But he stepped out anyway, believing the cause was worth the risk. And when Jesus went to the cross, He did so with that same kind of determination—only He wasn’t fighting for a temporary victory. He was fighting for your heart and for eternal freedom—freedom that no one can take away.
So this Independence Day, as we celebrate the freedoms we enjoy as a country, let’s also remember the deeper freedom Jesus offers us.
Let’s:
- Stand firm in that freedom.
- Refuse to carry the old burdens of guilt and fear.
- Live boldly, not to earn God's love, but because we already have it.
Because the greatest freedom isn’t just what we’ve been set free from—it’s what we’ve been set free for: to love, to serve, and to live in peace with God.
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36, NIV)
Happy 4th of July with love, from Pastor Tim and Renee!
