A Day to Celebrate Our Freedom

Freedom is one of God’s most precious gifts, and as America prepares to celebrate 250 years of liberty, we have a powerful opportunity to remember, give thanks, and look again to the One who makes true freedom possible.

On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress declared the 13 American colonies to be “free and independent states.” Those words changed the course of history, but they also came with great danger. Benjamin Franklin understood the seriousness of that moment when he said, “We must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

The men who signed the Declaration of Independence knew freedom would not come without sacrifice. With “a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence,” they pledged to one another their “Lives, their Fortunes and their sacred Honor.”

It has always been purchased by someone else’s courage.

Across these 250 years, generations of brave men and women have paid a tremendous price so that you and I could live in a nation where we can worship God, preach the Gospel, raise our families, and speak the truth of His Word. From the battlefields of the Revolutionary War to the beaches of Normandy, from Vietnam to the Persian Gulf, from September 11 to the conflicts of recent years, ordinary Americans have made extraordinary sacrifices.

In our Inspiration program “Price of Freedom,” I had the privilege of sharing the stories of men and women who understood this cost in a deeply personal way. Captain Quincy Collins endured seven and a half years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. Port Authority police officer Walwyn Stewart stayed at his post on September 11 and helped save countless lives before giving his own. Colonel Jeff O’Leary served as a peacekeeper during the Gulf War under the constant threat of missile strikes and terrorism. Jennifer McCullum faced life as a young widow and mother after her husband Daniel gave his life while serving our nation.

Their stories remind us that freedom is not just an idea. It is something that has been purchased through courage, sacrifice, tears, and love.

As we celebrate America’s 250 years of freedom, we should thank God for the liberties we enjoy. We should thank Him for the freedom to gather in worship, the freedom to pray, the freedom to proclaim the Gospel, and the freedom to teach our children and grandchildren the biblical values that have shaped this nation.

But we must also remember an even greater freedom.

God’s Word tells us, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1 ESV). Political freedom is a precious blessing, but spiritual freedom in Christ is eternal. Through Jesus, you can be forgiven, restored, and set free from the bondage of sin, fear, shame, addiction, and hopelessness.

That is true freedom.

My friend, I won’t pretend life is always easy. But no matter what circumstances you are facing today, God wants to show you His unfailing love.

The Bible also reminds us that we were “bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:20 ESV). Our salvation was not purchased with silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. He gave His life so that you could be free—not only for a day, not only for a season, but forever.

Many people today call themselves free, yet their hearts are still bound. They may not live under a cruel dictator, but they wake each morning carrying chains no government can remove—worry that won’t quiet, guilt that won’t lift, bitterness that won’t release. The good news of the Gospel is that Jesus still breaks chains. He still opens prison doors. He still gives new life to everyone who calls on His name.

My prayer for you today is that as America marks 250 years of liberty, you will also rest in the freedom that only Christ can give. No matter what you’re carrying right now—worry, guilt, grief, or shame—there is hope. You are never alone. His grace is more than enough for whatever you’re facing. Remember those who gave so much for this nation, and give thanks to the Savior who gave everything so that you could be free—not just for a season, but forever.

Quincy, Walwyn, Jeff, and Jennifer each paid a price most of us will never fully understand. I was honored to sit with them and hear their stories firsthand. I invite you to watch Price of Freedom on the Inspiration Ministries YouTube channel and hear even more incredible stories from those who have learned firsthand—the price of freedom is not something you pay just once and are finished with it. Freedom always comes with a continuing responsibility.

God bless you, and may God continue to bless America.

David Cerullo

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about freedom?

Galatians 5:1 reminds us that Christ has set us free and calls us to stand firm in that freedom. True liberty isn’t only political—it’s spiritual, purchased by Jesus at the cost of His life so we can be free from sin, fear, and shame forever.

What is the difference between political freedom and spiritual freedom?

Political freedom protects our right to worship, speak, and live without oppression. Spiritual freedom goes deeper—it is freedom from the bondage of guilt, addiction, and hopelessness, available to anyone who calls on the name of Jesus.

Why do Christians celebrate the Fourth of July?

Christians can celebrate America’s 250 years of independence with gratitude, recognizing that religious liberty allows us to worship freely, preach the Gospel, and pass biblical values to the next generation—all while remembering that our ultimate freedom comes from Christ.