Pastor's Portal

July 2025

Rev. David Schmidt

July 1, 2025

In the month of July, as we celebrate Independence Day, our thoughts often turn to freedom. We certainly cherish the freedoms we have today as Americans. And in the summer months, we experience another kind of freedom: We feel a certain freedom from responsibilities and routine as we take vacation.

As we reflect on these earthly freedoms, let us consider an even greater freedom that Paul speaks of in Galatians 5. There, he opens the chapter by saying, "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." What Paul emphasizes is that freedom defines both the means and the end of our salvation. In other words, salvation is free, and it is freeing.

How is it free? It is free because there is nothing we do to earn salvation. The Galatians had forgotten this truth, seeking to save themselves by obeying the Law. Paul calls that slavery, because under the Law, one can never know if they have done enough or been good enough. Grace, by definition, is not earned. It is a gift. God sent His Son to save sinners who neither deserved nor asked to be saved. Salvation is free.

How then is it freeing? What is this profound freedom we have been given? We are freed from our spiritual enemies: sin, death, and the devil. First, Christ saves us from sin. We deserve nothing but punishment for our sins, yet Jesus died on the cross in our place, receiving the wrath of God. Therefore, He frees us from the penalty of our sins. Second, we are freed from the fear of death. Jesus promises us eternal life, and in His resurrection He defeated death. Therefore, when we trust in Jesus, we need no longer fear death. And finally, we are freed from Satan’s accusations. He tries to lead us to despair because of our sin, convincing us that there are some sins even God cannot forgive. The cross, however, destroys the lies of Satan and sets us free.

As we enjoy the blessings of our national independence and the welcome respite from routine during summer, let us hold fast to the greatest freedom of all: the freedom Christ has won for us. May this truth be our constant joy, guiding our steps in every season.