Like the air we breathe, most Americans assume our extraordinary freedoms will always be in abundant supply. It's only when those freedoms are threatened or when we are otherwise enlightened to the fact that many in our world live and die never knowing the blessings of liberty, that our appreciation for it grows. In this collection of short essays, seven Americans write about events in their lives that resulted in a deeper appreciation of freedom.

(AgapePress) - In the small, dark, dingy jail cell in the basement of a Philadelphia police station, I waited. I waited for the freedom that was stripped away from me and my Christian brothers and sisters at the hands of those who swore an oath to protect it.

As each hour passed, I reflected on the sad state of our nation, and held onto the prison bars, while I stared at the metal walls etched with vile words. I realized that although I was imprisoned, I was free. "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2).

In Philadelphia, the birthplace of America, the criminalization of Christianity continues, while not only its symbols are removed from the public square, but also the Christians themselves. It has become a city where the public celebration of sin is welcomed, while the public proclamation of the Gospel is now being labeled "hate speech."

However, it is this "hate speech" that brings freedom from the bondage of sin because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage," says Galatians 5:1.

I know now that as disciples of Christ on this earth, we will always be on trial, but must look forward to our vindication when we stand before our Lord. So then, I meditate daily on the cost of our liberation and seek to submit myself entirely to one who has declared: "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:36).