True Independence

Tomorrow we celebrate Independence Day!

True freedom was bought with the precious blood of Christ. It was costly, and freedom comes with the responsibility of stewarding it wisely. Galatians 5:13 reminds us: we were called to be free; not to use that freedom to indulge the flesh, but to serve one another humbly in love. 

Freedom involves choosing what is right, just, and God-honoring. We steward freedom by pursuing obedience. It’s a conscious decision to follow the principles God has given us in His Word. Our relationships and activities reflect how we use that freedom. We steward it through self-control, not the absence of limits, but the ability to say no. Whether managing finances, time, or our health, self-control is a fruit of the Spirit that comes from abiding in Christ. We steward freedom by serving others. Shifting the focus off of ourselves makes us aware and sensitive to the needs around us. This transforms our relationships, our work, and the use of the resources that God provides.

Freedom is accompanied by thankfulness. God loved the world so much that He sent His only Son as a ransom for us. Many people around the world don’t know our Savior. May gratitude motivate and guide us to share the love of God with the lost and lonely. We steward freedom best by living with an eternal perspective. We don’t let the desires of earth surpass the purposes that God has for us. Let’s use what He provides to impact lives here and into eternity.

And if you’re overwhelmed by credit card debt, let Christian Credit Counselors help set you free. They can create a debt management plan just for you. For more information, visit online at crown.org/ccc.