True Freedom Isn’t Found in a Flag - It’s Found in Christ

Jonathan Pilgrim
Jul 4
3 min read

Every year on July 4th, fireworks light up the sky. Grills fire up. Flags wave. And across the country, we celebrate freedom.

And rightly so. Freedom is a gift worth honoring.

But as Christians, we’re called to remember a deeper kind of freedom - a freedom that no nation can give and no government can take away.

Because the truest freedom isn’t political. It’s spiritual. And it cost far more than we often remember.

Freedom From and Freedom For

The apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 5:1 (ESV):

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

This verse reminds us of two powerful truths:

Christ has freed us from something - sin, shame, condemnation, the law.
Christ has freed us for something - life in the Spirit, love, service, and eternal hope.

Christian freedom isn’t just about what we’re saved from. It’s about what we’re now empowered to live for.

We’re free to forgive. Free to love. Free to serve. Free to let go of pride. Free to walk in grace. Free to stop proving ourselves and start abiding in Christ.

Freedom Isn’t Just a Feeling - It’s a Fight

Let’s be honest: freedom in Christ doesn’t always feel like freedom. There are days when shame creeps back in. When we feel chained to old habits. When the enemy whispers in our heads, “You’ll never change”.

But Paul’s call is clear: stand firm. Don’t go back to slavery. Don’t submit again to lies that say you’re not enough or can’t be forgiven.

Because you are free. Not by your effort, but by His cross.

As Paul also writes in Romans 6:18:

“And, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.”

We’ve been set free to serve. That’s the paradox of Christian liberty: we are most free when we are most surrendered to Jesus.

Freedom Looks Like This

In real life, freedom in Christ looks like:

Forgiving someone who doesn’t deserve it, because you’ve been forgiven too.
Letting go of guilt and living in grace.
Refusing to define yourself by your past.
Stepping into a new identity as God’s beloved child.
Choosing joy, even when life is hard.

Freedom in Christ doesn’t always look flashy - sometimes it just looks like peace on a random Tuesday afternoon. But it’s real. And it’s eternal.

So Let Me Ask You…

Are you living like someone who’s free or are you still chained by guilt or fear?
Are you letting your past define you more than God’s promises?
Have you been using your freedom to serve others or to serve yourself?
What lies do you need to stop believing in order to stand firm in the truth?
Who around you needs to be reminded today of the freedom Jesus offers?

Freedom Worth Celebrating

This Independence Day, wave your flag. Fire up the grill. Enjoy your family. Watch some fireworks (try to keep all of your fingers, please).

But don’t forget to celebrate the greater freedom - the one that came not through war, but through a cross.

Christ died to set you free. Free from sin. Free from shame. Free to live with boldness, peace, and purpose.

So stand firm. Walk free. And never trade that freedom for chains again.

Until the journey is complete,

Jonathan Pilgrim

P.S. This week, as you reflect on the blessings of freedom, take a few minutes to thank God for your freedom in Christ, and ask Him to help you live like someone truly set free.