Do you recognize the name William Wallace? Perhaps you’re familiar with Mel Gibson’s depiction of William Wallace in the movie Braveheart. Wallace was a fierce fighter for Scottish independence in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. You may not have seen the movie or know anything about him, but you are probably familiar with his famous, inspirational battle line quote: “They may take our lives, but they’ll never take our freedom!” 

Today we thank God for the freedoms we enjoy in our country, especially our freedom to exercise our faith. When we look at the history of the Christian church, few places have had the religious freedom we enjoy. This is a special blessing from God. There are many places around the world where Christians are persecuted to the point of death for their faith. Thank you for our freedom, Lord.

Today we also recognize that the freedom we enjoy in our country is temporary and not promised by God. Political freedom is tenuous at best. We can never say the Wallace line with any certainty in our country. Isn’t it nice, though, that we can say it to our greatest enemies, sin and death, who threaten our lives? Jesus said, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). Because Jesus lived perfectly for you and died in your place, you have been declared free. Period. No one and nothing will ever take your freedom!