Sunday Fuel-5Jul26

2 Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

As we celebrate this momentous holiday weekend here in the U.S.A., the words "freedom" and "liberty" seem to be spoken a little more often.

Who can forget the immortal words of Patrick Henry: “Give me liberty, or give me death!”

Or the words written by Thomas Jefferson: “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

And let us not forget Phyllis Wheatley, who wrote: “In every human breast, God has implanted a principle, which we call love of freedom.”

Her words bring us right back to this week’s Sunday Fuel.

At first glance, 2 Corinthians 3:17 seems like a simple A+B=C formula:

A: the Lord is the Spirit,

B: where the Spirit of the Lord is,

C: there is freedom.

But this kind of freedom is deeper than anything a nation, government, document, or holiday can provide. It is not only freedom around us — it is freedom within us.

True freedom is found in God. It is freedom from shame, fear, sin, bondage, and the weight of trying to carry life on our own. It is the freedom to live with peace, purpose, and hope because the Spirit of the Lord is with us.

So today, as we reflect on liberty, independence, and the blessings we enjoy, let us ask ourselves an even greater question:

Do I have true freedom today?

Is the Spirit of the Lord alive and working in me?

All the greatness this world has to offer is still empty without the freedom that comes from God. But where His Spirit is, there is freedom — real, lasting, life-changing freedom.