Today, as America marks a historic 250 years of independence, we pause to honor a foundational truth: freedom is never free. We are living in a liberty we did not earn, reaping a harvest we did not plant. The civic freedoms we enjoy today were bought at a tremendous price, woven together by the courage, sacrifice, and blood of the men and women who stood in harm’s way to protect our nation.

​Yet, this profound earthly freedom is a beautiful echo of an even greater deliverance. Nearly two thousand years ago, an ultimate sacrifice was made on a rugged cross. Long before our nation was formed, Christ took our place—bearing the heavy weight of our sin to grant us a spiritual freedom that no earthly power can give, and no earthly trial can take away.

​Both freedoms required a substitute. Both demanded the blood of someone else so that we might live unfettered. On this historic milestone, let us live worthily of both privileges—deeply thankful for the heroes who secured our nation, and eternally grateful for the Savior who redeemed our souls.