On the Fourth of July, Americans celebrate their independence from Britain. In the present times, the holiday is celebrated with parades, picnics, and fireworks. It’s all fun and family gatherings— but back in the day, it was a blessing that came with a lot of deliberation and struggles.
Independence Day commemorates the approval of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress in 1776. The document proclaimed that the thirteen American colonies were no longer part of the British Empire and should be considered an independent nation.
While the Declaration of Independence is a secular document, many people in the United States see it as a reflection of biblical principles. This is because the Bible speaks about independence and freedom as well.
As a nation, we need to humble ourselves before God and seek His presence if we want to experience true freedom and independence. Here are the bible verses you must know while celebrating Independence Day:
Leviticus 25:10 NIV
Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan.
According to Bible scholars, the Jubilee Year was a time when Israelites were to forgive all debts, release all slaves, and restore land that had been sold or mortgaged. It was also a time of spiritual renewal, when people were to repent and turn back to God.
This principle is still important today. We live in a country where everyone is supposed to be equal, regardless of race or religion. We are free to worship God however we choose and to speak our minds without fear of retaliation.
God desires for all people to be free. This includes freedom from slavery, oppression, and injustice. This verse is also a reminder that God has given us freedom, and we should not take it for granted.
2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
This verse speaks to one of the main themes of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians which is that through Christ, believers have been set free from bondage to sin and death.
When we are in relationship with God, we are given freedom. We no longer have to be bound by our sin or our mistakes. We can be forgiven and start fresh because of Jesus’ death on the cross. This verse is a reminder that even though we may mess up, God still loves us and wants us to come to Him.
Colossians 1:13 NIV
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.
In this passage, Paul is writing about how Jesus has saved us from our sins and brought us into God’s kingdom. Paul says that we have been saved by grace through faith and that this faith is a gift from God. Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins. He paid the price for our redemption and through Him we are now able to have a relationship with God.
Faith is more than just believing in something; it is trusting God even when we don’t understand what is happening in our lives. When we have faith, we can be sure that God is with us and will never leave us. We can also be confident that He will fulfill His promises to us.
Galatians 5:1 NIV
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.
Paul is urging Christians to stand firm in their faith and not let themselves be burdened by the rules and regulations of the Old Testament law. The law was meant to enslave people, but Jesus has set us free from that bondage. We are now free to serve God out of love rather than out of obligation.
As Christians, we should always strive to live in freedom rather than bondage. That also applies to all aspects of life beyond our faith.
Romans 8:21 NIV
That the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
This brings out the idea of liberation and redemption, which are key concepts in Christianity. Paul talks about how God works everything together for our good. This includes both the bad and the good things that happen in life. Even things that seem bad at first can be used by God for our benefit. This assurance is based on the truth that God himself has said that nothing can separate us from his love.
Believers in Jesus Christ will be set free from the curse of sin. This includes being freed from physical death and decay, as well as being given new life in heaven.
John 8:36 NIV
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
This verse is often used to talk about the power of Jesus and how through Him we are set free from our sins. This can be interpreted in a few ways. First, it could mean that once we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are forgiven and our sins are no longer counted against us. Second, it could mean that when we follow Jesus’ teachings and live according to His ways, we are freed from the negative consequences that come with sin. Finally, it could mean that through faith in Jesus Christ, we have eternal life and are freed from the punishment of death.
No matter how you interpret this verse, it’s clear that Jesus offers us freedom in many different ways.