The Declaration of Independence

"It is finished”—John 19:30

Today is the 4th of July, the day that Americans celebrate their independence from the foreign and oppressive rule of tyrannical England. It is a time set aside to celebrate our freedom—no longer are we subject to the cruel whims, dictates, and machinations of a foreign monarch—we are free—free to worship, free to travel, free to govern. Or as the Declaration of Independence states it,

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

We are free. And while we may be free as citizens, we are not free as humans. We may be free to be and do within the parameters set by the laws of the land; nevertheless, we are still enslaved by the oppressive and cruel power of sin. Unlike the Revolutionary War, we could not declare our independence from our oppressor with shows of strength, cunning, or war. Christ came to free us from the power and oppressive rule of sin. His war was not against any earthly army, nor was it waged with weapons forged by anyone in this world. No, the war that He fought—and won—was on the cross. He bore the cross to Calvary—He bore our sin, He fought sin and Satan by suffering. And He won. The greatest Declaration of Independence that the human race has ever known was not done on July 4, 1776 by a group of men signing a document. No, the Son of God declared it some 2,000 years ago. His pen was His cross and His blood the ink—each nail hammered to punctuate the words—“It is finished!” When Jesus was on the cross, He became sin. He had no sin, but He became sin—OUR sin. The war was over at that Declaration of Independence. And while the war between the United States and England began after the United States Declaration of Independence was signed, the war between sin, self, Satan, and the Savior was over when He said, “It is finished.” Though the war is still being lived out—it is over. There is a victor and it is Christ Jesus. The words “It is finished” conveyed more than an end to His life. He was making a declaration that salvation from sin was accomplished. No longer did sin rule, nor Satan—the Savior had won. Jesus died that day, but because He didn’t possess any sin of Himself death could not hold Him. He rose from the dead and then soon after ascended into heaven, where He sits at the right hand of the Father, waiting for the day for the victory to be realized in its entirety. As it says in Hebrews,

“And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until His enemies should be made a footstool for His feet. For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”—Hebrews 10:11-14

He declared independence from sin, self, and the rule of Satan. And by faith in Him, we too can participate in the freedom He has secured forever and all time. The Savior, the great and glorious Son of God has made us free and since He has made us free—we are free indeed (John 8:36).

My brother or sister, do you feel enslaved to sin? Do you want freedom? Cast yourself at His feet and ask Him to save you. He will not cast you out. He will never turn away anyone who comes to Him in repentance and faith, contrite and broken in heart. And He will set you free! Have you, by faith, come to Him and asked for freedom? He will give it. We need no longer be ensnared, but can walk and celebrate the freedom He has secured by His cross. Amen.