History tells the truth that America’s roots are spiritual.

The United States of America was forged out of the furnace of faith in God. The original pilgrims who traveled by the Mayflower sought freedom to worship God as they saw fit. In the Plymouth Colony’s first winter of 1620, they crafted their Mayflower Compact. It clearly states their purpose was “for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our King and country.” After them, the forefathers who set the framework for this great nation felt inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Nowadays, American citizenship is automatically yours if you are born into the United States. But the freedom I’m addressing requires you to be born again. Our born-again citizenship supersedes all earthly allegiances because it is of the Kingdom of God. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).

Because of everything that Jesus Christ has accomplished, freedom is available to whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord.

However, all of God’s people do not live free, and that is the burden of this message. I want you to hunger for more of the freedom that is your born-again birthright. Regardless of what nation you were born in or what earthly citizenship you possess, God wants you to live as a freed citizen of His Kingdom. Click this link and receive this reading from Romans 6.

Among our nation’s population, four-letter words appear to be more popular than ever. However, God’s people should choose wisely the words they speak. BUT F-R-E-E that spells FREE. And I want to use all four of these letters to discuss what freedom should look like for the child of God.

• 1. F — stands for the foundation of faith in God!

Faith is how we enter our relationship with God. We hear these foundational words in Jesus’ born-again conversation with Nicodemus. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). SO, you believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and were saved by grace through faith. Your citizenship and relationship status changed when you got saved!

But oh, how foolish we behave when we begin to doubt God! The same God who saved you is still on your side. The question is, are you on His side? The same God who “sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10) is still madly in love with you! But understand this. It’s foolish to think you can begin in faith and later relegate your relationship with God to sight. Who do you think you are to live as though God has to prove Himself every day? He is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Hasn’t He always come through?! He’s the same God as then, and He’ll do it again!

Hebrews 11 (6a) informs us that “without faith, it is impossible to please Him.” You’ll never graduate to a level in your relationship with God where faith is not necessary! “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

On the day after Palm Sunday, a significant conversation took place that stands as an example for us all. Mark 11 (12-25) records that Peter was astonished that the fig tree which Jesus had cursed was withered away. Jesus spoke four powerful words to Peter and the rest of the disciples in reply. He says these exact four words to you today. “Have faith in God” (22). He instructs us, too, “whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (24). Many of you need to return to the power of having faith in God!

Indeed, the Holy Spirit has revealed that many of God’s children lack faith. Some are in bondage to fear, and others are slaves to materialism. Even worse are the sins of pride, the excessive desire to be praised, and the indulgence of sexual immorality. But there is good news for you today!

You can be set free from the bondage of these sins that weigh you down in the race of faith. IF you repent, surrender, and believe, you can receive forgiveness and cleansing. Then you can “stand fast” in “the liberty by which Christ has made us free” (Galatians 5:1).

• 2. R — is the first letter of the word reliance (upon God).

Living free on this faith foundation takes daily reliance upon God. The straight and narrow way (Matthew 7:13-14) is about more than a one-time commitment. Hear the words of the sweet psalmist of Israel. Through David, the Holy Spirit says, “Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5).

Many people are so full of insecurity that they live in constant bondage. Jealousy, envy, and self-doubt rule their souls. They never feel good enough because they’re always playing the comparison game. But daily reliance on God brings freedom from the chains of insecurity.

One huge difference between God and us is our different vantage points or perspectives from which we see. Think about a parade, for example. We watch the floats and the marching bands come by one after another. We watch the parade one entry at a time. But God sees the whole parade! He doesn’t have to wait for each entry to turn the corner. God sees the entire parade from the start to the finish and all points in between, all at once. He sees what you can’t see! He sees what is not visible to you because you don’t know what’s coming around the corner. He sees what we can’t see. That’s why we need to have faith in God and live in daily reliance upon Him.

The word translated “commit” in Psalm 37:5 literally means “roll-off onto.” So God’s plan is for you to roll off your ways of jealousy, envy, and self-doubt and roll them onto the Lord. You see, they can’t exist in His presence! Then you can rely upon the Lord and rest in His employment plan for your life.

• 3. E — reminds us of our enlistment in the work of God.

Our enlistment in the work of His Church is vital. It really is as simple as “saved people serve people.” Jesus tells His free indeed disciples who know the truth, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38).

There’s no doubt that families and individuals are busier than ever. And many Christians are overwhelmed with the daily cares of life, raising children, and paying bills. I’m sympathetic towards all that, and I appreciate the many volunteers who faithfully serve our ministry teams. I thank God that these groups are chosen and committed servants of God! I’m grateful that the effort of our paid staff exceeds the compensation we can provide.

But remember this. “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord” (Colossians 3:23). Whether in the corporate services, on-campus, or off-campus, we need to do all we do as unto the Lord. The attitude that says, “I work for God,” will keep you free from the ungodly spirit of self-centeredness.

• 4. E – this last E reminds us that we have eternal life, the gift of God!

Some of us fail to recognize the exceeding sinfulness of sin. As well, we often overlook the blessings of eternal life. This leads to stinking thinking.

An intoxicated man staggered onto a Greyhound bus late one night. He sat down next to a well-dressed lady. She looked at him and said with a self-righteous tone, “I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news for you, young man. You’re going to hell!” The man stood and shouted to the front of the bus, “Oh no! I must be on the wrong bus!” What if they were both on the wrong bus? Isn’t that our problem too?! We say we’re God’s Children and on our way to Heaven, but sometimes we behave like we’re on the wrong bus.

Consider Romans 6:22-23 from the JB Phillips Bible. “But now that you are employed by God, you owe no duty to sin, and you reap the fruit of being made righteous, while at the end of the road there is life for evermore. Sin pays its servants: the wage is death. But God gives to those who serve Him: His free gift is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Eternal life is not only a span we cannot measure or know the end. Eternal life is a quality of freedom that began as a gift of God when you were born again. Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Living FREE is your destiny!

Christian, your citizenship in God’s Kingdom is above all allegiances. We can be thankful that we were born as free Americans. But we should never allow nationalism, patriotism, or politics to distract and divide us from living under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. You were born again to live FREE from the bondage of sin, self, and Satan. You’re set free to live for the Lord!

Because of everything that Jesus Christ has accomplished, freedom is available to whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord.

I pray that you know the truths of God’s Word, have a dynamic relationship with God and live FREE for Him.

But if you’re not a Christian, I invite you to commit your faith in God for His salvation and forgiveness. Click this sentence and learn more about what that means. Do it today.

If you are a Christian, pray and ask God for more freedom in the specific areas of life where you know you need it! Take some time today to seek Him for your family members.