The Greatest Independence Day

This July 4th, marks the 244th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence (see article), declaring independence from Great Britain. I remember attending the yearly Independence Day celebration held in Hale Center, Texas, July 4, 1965. There was a parade, games, cookouts, fireworks, and a county fiddling contest which was attended by more than 15,000 Tri-State area residents including my family.

However, there is another Independence Day celebration that is far greater than the one observed on July 4th. This celebration has to do with the day that we as Christians, declared our independence from sin — the day we were “baptized into Christ” (see article) for the remission of our sins (Romans 6:1-7; Acts 2:38; Gal. 3:26-27).

This writer’s Independence Day from the grasp of sin occurred on January 1, 1960. It was a glorious day, with all of my family in attendance. How wonderful it is to know that when we “come up out of the water” (Acts 8:39), we can truly celebrate — “going on our way rejoicing” — knowing that our past sins have been washed away by the cleansing blood of Christ (Acts 22:16; Ephesians 1:3-7; cf. 1 John 1:7).

Dear reader, have you celebrated your Independence Day from sin? (2 Corinthians 6:1-2). If you haven’t, allow me to encourage you to do just that, by repenting of your sins (Acts 17:30-31; cf. Luke 13:3,5), confessing Christ before men (Romans 10:8-10; cf. Acts 8:37), and being buried with Him in baptism (Romans 6:4).

Then, you too, along with millions of other Christians, can celebrate the greatest Independence Day ever — independence [freedom] from sin (Romans 6:16-18), giving your life to the Lord and to His cause (Matthew 16:24-25; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16). Beloved, may you make your greatest Independence Day decision with eternity in mind (1 Peter 1:1-4; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; cf. 2 Timothy 4:6-8; Revelation 2:10).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets