For many of us, “independence” simply carries the idea of “being on our own.” For the founding fathers of the United States and the people of the first 13 Colonies, true independence would not come without deliverance from Britain’s king and government—this meant war. They began fighting for their freedom in April 1775 and would do so until September 3, 1783. Even so, while human rights come from one Creator God, true freedom and independence cannot be experienced apart from deliverance from sin and death offered in Christ Jesus. Independence Day (celebrated by Americans on July 4th) is the result of deliverance—this came at a cost, which we ought never to forget.