I Am Free

June 19, 2025

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 (ESV)

Today we pause to celebrate and commemorate Juneteenth. This is the day that in 1865 the news of freedom finally arrived to those who were enslaved in Galveston Texas. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863 it took over two years for it to reach the slaves in Galveston. The news of freedom had to be a joyous occasion for them and one of final relief that the suffering of slavery was over, and although our ancestors would have difficult days ahead, freedom was finally theirs and they would never be slaves again. We as Christians also have freedom in Christ that we are no longer bound by the yoke of sin that had previously enslaved our lives. The Scripture reminds us, for freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. I encourage you today to stand firm in your freedom. With so many trying to erase the freedoms we have, we must stand firm and remember we are free. We must stand firm in our freedom in Christ and never go back to the sin that used to have us bound. Today is day to celebrate freedom and a day to remember that no matter what we face or what anyone tries to do, we are free, and we are free in Christ and that is worth celebrating and giving God praise for. I am free and I am free in Christ, and I am grateful for what my ancestors did to fight for my freedom, and I am thankful and grateful to Christ for setting me free by dying for my sins. Since I will stand firm in my freedom, I have no doubt, “It’s My Year To Get My Thing From My God!”

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for setting me free. Give me the strength to stand and walk int the freedom you have given to me. Never allow me to go back to the yoke of slavery or sin. Thank you Lord for freedom. I love you Lord. In Jesus Name Amen.

Be Inspired, Rev. Dr. Stephen W. Pogue, Pastor
Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church
Mount Vernon, NY