When we reflect on freedom, Scripture reminds us that true freedom is ultimately found in Christ. While earthly freedoms are worth recognizing and being thankful for, the greatest freedom we receive is the freedom Jesus provides—the freedom to worship God, share the Gospel, and live according to His truth. As we remember the history and sacrifices that shaped our nation, we can also reflect on the responsibility that comes with freedom: using it to honor God and serve others in love.

Highlights:
True freedom begins with the freedom Christ gives through salvation
America’s founding was influenced by leaders who recognized God’s role in establishing liberty
Freedom allows believers to worship, share the Gospel, and live openly for Christ
Biblical freedom is not meant for selfish living but for serving others in love
Remembering history invites us to thank God for those who courageously stood for freedom

Join the Conversation

As you reflect on 250 years of freedom as a nation, how do you see God’s hand at work throughout history? How can you use the freedoms you have today to honor God and serve those around you?

Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/

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Full Transcript Below:

Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom as a Nation

By Lynette Kittle

Bible Reading:

“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

Our Founding Fathers were a group who believed in God, the freedom He gives each of us, and His providence in establishing the United States of America.

Although debates continue over how godly each one lived and how deeply they each believed in God, they still gave us a biblical basis for our nation, one that continues today.

As the first Vice President and second President of the United States, John Adams wrote on July 3, 1776, to his beloved wife, Abigail, concerning the high cost of freedom paid to create the Declaration of Independence:

“You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not—I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States—Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will triumph in that Days Transaction, even although we should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”

Adams also credited the American Revolution’s success with the spiritual revival in the hearts and minds of the people that preceded it by a generation, laying the foundation for America.

The spread of “The Great Awakening” across the colonies greatly influenced and strengthened Patriot leaders, leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, in which prayer and fasting played a vital role in helping America establish its freedom. 

America is a testament of what God has done, leading America’s Founders to establish our nation and government on godly principles. These biblical truths have given us the freedom to live as followers of Jesus Christ without reserve.

As Galatians 5:13 directs us, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”

The following are three freedoms that America has granted us as Christians:
 America gives us freedom to openly worship God. First and foremost is the freedom America gives us to worship God. It’s our highest calling as Christians, and it’s the freedom that tops all the others because it’s also fulfilling the first commandment, recorded in Matthew 22:37-38: “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”
 America gives us freedom to openly preach the Gospel. In America, we have this freedom, like no other country in the world. As 2 Corinthians 3:17 explains, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
 America gives us the freedom to openly live as Christians. We, as Americans, have been granted the right, as citizens, to live as Christians in the freedom Jesus gave us. As Jesus assured us in John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” 

Although we, as Americans, fought for freedom from King George and British tyranny, proclaiming independence from their harsh reign, our independence was rooted in our dependence upon Almighty God and the freedom He gives us through Jesus Christ.

Adams supported the spiritual awakening in our country, calling attention to and recognizing the connection between faith in God and freedom in life, validating where true freedom originates.

Miracles in American History author, historian, and speaker, William J. Federer, writes, “In defending the Declaration, Adams told the Continental Congress, July 1, 1776: ‘Live or die, survive or perish, I am for the Declaration. It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment. Independence now, and Independence forever!’”

Intersecting Faith & Life:

As we celebrate our nation’s 250 years of freedom this July 4th, consider our founders’ faith in God and the fortitude they displayed in standing on His truth amid conflict and tyranny. Spend time thanking God for their bravery and boldness in believing that true freedom comes from Him.

Further Reading:

How the Church Paved the Way for America’s Freedom

When we reflect on freedom, Scripture reminds us that true freedom is ultimately found in Christ. While earthly freedoms are worth recognizing and being thankful for, the greatest freedom we receive is the freedom Jesus provides&mdash;the freedom to worship God, share the Gospel, and live according to His truth. As we remember the history and sacrifices that shaped our nation, we can also reflect on the responsibility that comes with freedom: using it to honor God and serve others in love.
Highlights:
<ul data-start="507" data-end="940">
<li data-section-id="cnuifa" data-start="507" data-end="578">True freedom begins with the freedom Christ gives through salvation</li>
<li data-section-id="4a44pw" data-start="579" data-end="677">America&rsquo;s founding was influenced by leaders who recognized God&rsquo;s role in establishing liberty</li>
<li data-section-id="1xa03m8" data-start="678" data-end="763">Freedom allows believers to worship, share the Gospel, and live openly for Christ</li>
<li data-section-id="vp5l4" data-start="764" data-end="847">Biblical freedom is not meant for selfish living but for serving others in love</li>
<li data-section-id="19p9lm6" data-start="848" data-end="940">Remembering history invites us to thank God for those who courageously stood for freedom</li>
</ul>
Join the Conversation
As you reflect on 250 years of freedom as a nation, how do you see God&rsquo;s hand at work throughout history? How can you use the freedoms you have today to honor God and serve those around you?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: <a href="https://forums.crosswalk.com/">https://forums.crosswalk.com/</a>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom as a Nation
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
&ldquo;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.&rdquo; - Galatians 5:1
Our Founding Fathers were a group who believed in God, the freedom He gives each of us, and His providence in establishing the United States of America.
Although debates continue over how godly each one lived and how deeply they each believed in God, they still gave us a biblical basis for our nation, one that continues today.
As the first Vice President and second President of the United States, John Adams wrote on July 3, 1776, to his beloved wife, Abigail, concerning the high cost of freedom paid to create the Declaration of Independence:
&ldquo;You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not&mdash;I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States&mdash;Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will triumph in that Days Transaction, even although we should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.&rdquo;
Adams also credited the American Revolution&rsquo;s success with the spiritual revival in the hearts and minds of the people that preceded it by a generation, laying the foundation for America.
The spread of &ldquo;The Great Awakening&rdquo; across the colonies greatly influenced and strengthened Patriot leaders, leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, in which prayer and fasting played a vital role in helping America establish its freedom.&nbsp;
America is a testament of what God has done, leading America&rsquo;s Founders to establish our nation and government on godly principles. These biblical truths have given us the freedom to live as followers of Jesus Christ without reserve.
As Galatians 5:13 directs us, &ldquo;You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.&rdquo;
The following are three freedoms that America has granted us as Christians:
<ol>
<li> America gives us freedom to openly worship God. First and foremost is the freedom America gives us to worship God. It&rsquo;s our highest calling as Christians, and it&rsquo;s the freedom that tops all the others because it&rsquo;s also fulfilling the first commandment, recorded in Matthew 22:37-38: &ldquo;Jesus replied: &lsquo;Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.&rsquo; This is the first and greatest commandment.&rdquo;</li>
<li> America gives us freedom to openly preach the Gospel. In America, we have this freedom, like no other country in the world. As 2 Corinthians 3:17 explains, &ldquo;Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.&rdquo;</li>
<li> America gives us the freedom to openly live as Christians. We, as Americans, have been granted the right, as citizens, to live as Christians in the freedom Jesus gave us. As Jesus assured us in John 8:36, &ldquo;So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.&rdquo;&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
Although we, as Americans, fought for freedom from King George and British tyranny, proclaiming independence from their harsh reign, our independence was rooted in our dependence upon Almighty God and the freedom He gives us through Jesus Christ.
Adams supported the spiritual awakening in our country, calling attention to and recognizing the connection between faith in God and freedom in life, validating where true freedom originates.
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Miracles-American-History-Two-Federers/dp/0989649172/ref=asc_df_0989649172?mcid=b7726301021f3a678321f702186341f4&amp;hvocijid=2641133105140063259-0989649172-&amp;hvexpln=73&amp;tag=hyprod-20&amp;linkCode=df0&amp;hvadid=721245378154&amp;hvpos=&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvrand=2641133105140063259&amp;hvpone=&amp;hvptwo=&amp;hvqmt=&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvdvcmdl=&amp;hvlocint=&amp;hvlocphy=1013406&amp;hvtargid=pla-2281435178138&amp;psc=1">Miracles in American History</a> author, historian, and speaker, William J. Federer, writes, &ldquo;In defending the Declaration, Adams told the Continental Congress, July 1, 1776: &lsquo;Live or die, survive or perish, I am for the Declaration. It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment. Independence now, and Independence forever!&rsquo;&rdquo;
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
As we celebrate our nation&rsquo;s 250 years of freedom this July 4th, consider our founders&rsquo; faith in God and the fortitude they displayed in standing on His truth amid conflict and tyranny. Spend time thanking God for their bravery and boldness in believing that true freedom comes from Him.
Further Reading:
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/america/how-the-church-paved-the-way-for-americas-freedom.html">How the Church Paved the Way for America&rsquo;s Freedom</a>

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.

Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:

☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It)
☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment
☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life
☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life
☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church
☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer
☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation
☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year

If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.
Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:
☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It) ☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment ☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life ☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life ☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church ☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer ☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation ☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year
If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/">https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.</a>

7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life.

The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

The Crosswalk Devotional

Celebrating 250 Years as a Nation

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/f3e2359e-7e6f-4143-add0-b478011471ae/transcript