Independence Day
for the Christian is
Easter
The Mystery of Faith:
Lord, by your cross and resurrection
you have set us free.
You are the Savior of the world.
(From the Roman Catholic Eucharist Prayer)
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (Gal 5:1).
So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free (Jn 8:36).
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Rm 8:15).
Because God’s children are human beings–made of flesh and blood–the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their lives (Heb 2:14-15).
Death has been swallowed up in victory.
Where, O death is your victory?
Where, O Death is your sting? (1Co 15:54-55)
Now the Lord is Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Co 3:17).
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. So stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery (Gal 5:1).
(T) he glorious freedom of the children of God (Rm 8:21)
As a theological concept in the strict sense, the “freedom of the children of God” is the fundamental kerygma of Jesus Christ’s Gospel (Rm 8:15). This text deals with freedom as a fruit of redemption in Jesus Christ. This Christian freedom connotes liberation from the determining factor of sin, external legalism and death, and thus from slavery to worldly powers in general. It springs from the revelation of God’s redemptive love in Jesus (emphasis added).
Theological Dictionary, Karl Rahner, S.J.
Jesus then said to those who believed in Him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free”
(Jn 8:31-32).
-ECM
