Scripture Reading for this message:
Galatians 5:1 (NLT)
“So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.”
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday and continue reflecting on the Five Kernels of Corn, we turn now to the fourth kernel, which represents Freedom. The Pilgrims’ voyage across the stormy Atlantic was not driven by a desire for wealth or comfort but by a longing for liberty — the freedom to worship God in accordance with the dictates of their conscience.
In their homeland, that freedom had been denied. They faced persecution, fines, and imprisonment simply for gathering to worship outside of state-controlled churches. Yet their faith was steadfast. They trusted that God was calling them to a new land where they might freely serve Him.
That sacred pursuit of freedom reminds us of a greater spiritual liberty — the freedom that Christ gives to all who believe. True freedom is not merely the absence of constraint; it is the presence of grace. It is not the right to do as we please, but the power to do what is right.
Paul’s words to the Galatians ring with power: “So Christ has truly set us free.” This freedom is not born of government or granted by kings. It is given by the King of kings — freedom from sin, guilt, and the chains that once bound our hearts.
Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, the shackles of sin have been broken. We are no longer captives to our past, our failures, or our fears. As Romans 6:6–7 reminds us, “We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.”
But freedom in Christ is not an invitation to selfishness. It is a commission to service. Paul continues in Galatians 5:13, “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.”
True liberty flows from love — love for God and for others. It frees us to forgive, to show compassion, and to live as citizens of heaven even while walking the earth.
Every form of freedom carries a price. For the Pilgrims, it was the loss of home, comfort, and even life itself. For our Savior, it was the cross. Freedom is not cheap; it is precious, and it must be cherished with reverence and responsibility.
The Pilgrims understood that their liberty was not self-made. It was a gift from God, preserved through faith and obedience. They endured hardship not to escape restraint, but to live within the boundaries of divine will. Their courage laid the foundation for a nation where freedom could flourish — yet they knew that liberty without faith would soon fade into license.
So it is in our spiritual lives. The enemy continually seeks to drag us back into bondage — through fear, pride, or temptation. That is why Paul warns, “Now make sure that you stay free.” Freedom in Christ requires vigilance. We must guard our hearts, nourish our faith, and remember that our liberty is meant for holy living.
There have been seasons in my own life when God liberated me from fears that weighed heavily on my soul. In those moments, I realized that the truest freedom is not outward but inward — the quiet assurance that my life is secure in God’s hands, no matter the storms that rage around me.
Jesus said in John 8:31–32 (NLT):
“You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Freedom is not found in abandoning truth, but in embracing it. The world often confuses freedom with self-will, yet the Word of God teaches that true liberty is found in obedience to His truth. When we walk in His Word, we walk in freedom — freedom from deception, anxiety, and sin’s grip.
The Pilgrims’ freedom to worship reminds us that our liberty is not for comfort but for calling. We are free to pray openly, to gather in fellowship, to proclaim the Gospel to a world still shackled in spiritual chains. What an extraordinary blessing and responsibility that is!
This kernel of freedom compels us to live courageously — to speak truth when it is unpopular, to love when it is inconvenient, and to serve when it is difficult. Our freedom is not an end in itself; it is a means by which we glorify God.
The fourth kernel glows with significance. It represents both the Pilgrims’ quest for liberty and our spiritual emancipation in Christ. Freedom, rightly understood, is not about doing as we please but about being who God created us to be — His redeemed, faithful, and loving children.
So as we prepare for Thanksgiving, let us give thanks for those who sacrificed to preserve freedom in every form — but above all, let us give thanks for the One who purchased our eternal freedom at Calvary.
May we live as free people — not bound by fear or sin, but bound by love and grace. And may our freedom always point others to the Savior who sets every heart free.
This week, take time to thank God for the freedoms you enjoy — spiritual, personal, and national. Use those freedoms to bless others: speak kindness where bitterness abounds, offer prayer where despair reigns, and share the Gospel wherever hearts are hungry for hope.
If this ministry has blessed you, please prayerfully consider helping us continue our mission of proclaiming the freedom found only in Christ. You may do so by clicking the “Donate” button on our website. Your support ensures that God’s Word continues to reach hearts across the world — a living testament to the liberty that never fades.
So, I say to you,
“May the Lord strengthen your faith and use it for His glory, as you walk humbly in His presence.”
Brother Jesse
Co-founder & Sr. Chaplain, SFIHG Ministries
