Here in the United States, the country will celebrate the 4th of July. This day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776—when the United States declared its intention to break away from Britain and become its own nation. 

One of the founding ideas by the men who wrote the Declaration of Independence was their conviction that everyone had individual rights, along with equality and the concept of democracy. Over the last couple of hundred years, this nation has enjoyed freedoms and rights which most other countries in the world have not experienced. God blessed the United States because of His promise to Abraham who had throughout his entire life displayed the righteousness, faith and confidence in God.

While we have freedoms today, these freedoms are slowly but surely being taken away. This is because the United States at large and the other English-speaking nations have all but rejected God. They are not following after God and His Commandments as their forefather Abraham did. They all make excuses and refuse to truly obey God because they have used this idea of Freedom wrongly and are reaping the consequences that God has laid forth in Scripture. 

As Christians who uphold the Truth and attempt to live by the Words of the Bible, we need to realize that we are NOT free to do whatever we please. Unlike the world at this time, we are being judged by the standard of keeping the Ten Commandments and, by extension, showing Godly agape love. 

What is fascinating to me is that the world is seeking freedom, and if they could truly understand and see, they would find that true freedom comes from obedience to God’s Ways which, when followed perfectly, produce true love, peace and freedom. 

Paul wrote in Galatians 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” This whole chapter goes on to iterate true freedom and what its effects are. Essentially, it boils down to using God’s Spirit which provides the best way to obtain true freedom. 

One of the things that I admire about the Apostle Paul was his undying love for the people in the Church. He spent a lot of time and effort attempting to help these people. In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, he talks about how his freedom was used—not for himself but for the good of everyone else: “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings” (New International Version).

That is the ultimate use of one’s freedom—to spend one’s self for the good of others. Christ Himself stated that this is the highest example of love that any of us can give (John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends”). Christ also did this in laying down His perfect life for us and took on our sins. While we may not lay down our lives in the way that Christ did, we have opportunities to lay down our lives in greater service for the good of those who are in the Church—a selfless approach that brings true freedom. 

As we live our lives and grow in the use and application of God’s Spirit, we should begin to see that these ways of thinking and acting are not even for ourselves or others, but for the opportunity to glorify God and honor and show love to Him. This is exactly what Christ was pointing to when He said that the greatest two commandments are to “…love the Lord your God with all your heart… and love your neighbor as yourself” (compare Matthew 22:37-40). One of the most important things we must realize is that our freedom is not to be used in self-serving. Paul wrote to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit [which] is in you, [which] you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 

Our freedom is a beautiful thing. But we must realize that our freedom required a price—the death of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:18–19). With this in mind, we can and should continue on in living this new life that we have been given so we can bring honor and glory to God as is fitting, because this is part of what we have been called to do (Ephesians 2:10). 

True freedom can and will ONLY be found through submitting our lives more and more fully to our Creator and Sustainer. 

When you receive this editorial, the Feast of Unleavened Bread will be drawing to a close. These days picture for us the necessity to be on the lookout for sin and to deal with it before it grows in our lives.

As we have gone through this week and have eaten unleavened bread the entire week, it shows that we want to continue to have a relationship with Christ and we want to avoid sin as sin adversely affects our relationship with God. There is a question that we should ask ourselves as we move out of this period of time: What have we done this week to help ourselves overcome our individual sins or sinful proclivities? What is going to be different for us as we move forward into the coming weeks?

We can use this beginning of the Spring Holy Days to help us springboard into further action!

We have heard in many messages the need to change and grow. It is up to us individually, however, to move forward with our conversion. The Bible makes it clear that coming to conversion is not a one-time event, but a lifelong journey. It is the beginning of transformation, not the conclusion. When we become baptized, we step into a new life that is meant to grow, deepen, and mature. As Paul exhorted the Thessalonians, we are to “abound more and more” (1 Thessalonians 4:1). But how exactly can we move forward in our conversion in practical and Spiritual ways?

David was also concerned with this very concept.

In Psalm 139:23-24, he said: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”

We are so good at self-deception and reasoning that it can be easy to get caught up in doing the wrong things and not see exactly what we need to be seeing, which is why David writes here his need for God to show him and lead him in the right ways!

As we move towards God’s next Holy Day (Pentecost), we should be mindful of continuing to move forward. Here are a few Biblical steps that show how we can grow and use these Feasts of God to their Fullest extent:

1.     Stay Rooted in the Word

1 Peter 2:2 reminds us: “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.”

The Word of God is our primary source of nourishment. It reshapes our thinking, reveals God’s character, and instructs us in righteousness. Regular reading, studying, and meditating on Scripture is essential if we want to keep moving forward.

2.        Be Devoted to Prayer

Paul urges us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray without ceasing.”

Prayer isn’t merely about presenting our needs; it’s about building a relationship. In prayer, we align our hearts with God’s, receive His peace, and gain spiritual insight. As we grow in our prayer life, our faith deepens, and our awareness of God’s presence will become more constant.

3.        Put Off the Old Self, Put On the New Self

Ephesians 4:22-24 teaches: “…that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”

Conversion involves continual repentance. It means turning away from old habits and attitudes and actively embracing a life that reflects Christ.

4.        Walk in the Spirit

Paul writes in Galatians 5:25: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

The Holy Spirit is our guide in this journey. It convicts, empowers, and leads us toward Christlikeness. Moving forward in conversion requires sensitivity and a willingness to follow His lead daily.

5.        Stay Connected to the Body of Christ

Proverbs 27:17 says: “As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”

Community is crucial. The Church provides encouragement, correction, support, and discipleship. Being in regular fellowship with other believers helps us stay grounded and growing.

6.        Embrace Trials as Growth-Opportunities

James 1:2-4 encourages us: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

God uses hardship to shape us, to expose weak spots, and to strengthen our character. Moving forward sometimes happens most powerfully in the furnace of difficulty.

7.        Keep Your Eyes on Christ

Hebrews 12:2 tells us that we must be “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Conversion is not just behavior management; it’s about transformation through proximity to Christ. As we behold Him, we become more like Him.

Conversion is a process of growing in grace, deepening in faith, and becoming more like Jesus. It is not a stagnant state, but a living journey. We move forward in our conversion not only by striving harder, but also, and more importantly, by staying closer to Christ, relying on His Spirit, anchoring ourselves in the Word, and walking in fellowship with others. Let us press on into the fullness of the life God has promised.