Finally tonight: the Fourth of July and why the celebration of freedom in America is a good time to at least consider the possibility of freedom for eternity.

This freedom we enjoy was purchased at a great price. The founders of this nation forged a contract with liberty that many have signed in their blood. The slaves who were brought here in chains were beaten to bear its burdens on their backs. The pioneers who settled it sacrificed themselves to blaze a trail we could follow.

But this liberty has its limitations. We are still bound by our hatreds and prejudices, our weaknesses and addictions, our lusts and desires, and as sure as we live, we will die.

The Gospel tells us there is another contract with liberty signed in the blood of Jesus Christ -- that He alone has borne the burden of our sin and He has blazed a trail into eternity that we can follow. His promise is that whosoever lives and believes in Him shall never die.

If freedom in America is worth celebrating, isn't the possibility of freedom for eternity at least worth considering?