Today we celebrate our freedom as a nation.  Enjoy the time with your family and loved ones and take a few minutes to thank God for those who fought for the freedoms that we enjoy and sometimes take for granted.  But know this: Today we should also be celebrating our freedom as the redeemed in Christ Jesus.

Freedom and independence are core values for Americans.  Our nation was founded on the idea of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” as penned in the Declaration of Independence.  There is no doubt that this decision to found a nation that is sworn to protect and nurture freedom has had a profound impact upon our world.

As Christians, our freedom from sin should also have impact on the world in which we live.  “Give Light to Your House” is the tagline for Matthew515.com and comes from the verse Matthew 5:15 which says “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.”

If we as Christians are still living as though we are under sin’s curse or are actively involved in willful sinful activity, then there is no way that we can effectively be bearer’s of God’s Light.  We are instructed not to cover ourselves with a “basket” of sin and slavery to sin but to realize that God has called us out of bondage and into blessed freedom through Jesus Christ.  “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36 NKJV)

You and I would do well to remember that there is no sin so great or problem so big or despair so low that God cannot overcome it.  Our God’s great abundance of blessings and mighty power to save the sick and the lost are available to all who would bow down and claim them.  Today we celebrate our triumph over death and the grave.  Today we declare that we will be in bondage to sin no more.  Today we claim our freedom and victory in Jesus forever.

Are you ready to claim it?