Freedom in Christ

Yesterday we celebrated our nation’s independence. Happy Birthday USA! Our Declaration of Independence states, “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” ¹ While it is wonderful that our nation’s founders give God the credit for our “liberty”, there is another liberty, or freedom, that ranks far above. True and lasting freedom is the precious freedom in Christ that all believers experience.

Freedom in Christ- exploding chain breaking into pieces on light grey background

What Does Freedom Mean in the Bible?

By definition, freedom means we enjoy the ability to pursue our own interests and preferences. God grants everyone free will, or the freedom to make these choices, but we should look at it as a gift; not an excuse to go our own way whenever we want.

Free will gives us the option to choose what we desire. If we want to choose an honest and upstanding path, we have that right. We also have the option to choose a corrupt and immoral path. Each day brings many decisions and choices that impact our lives and those around us.

God never forces us to do what He says, but He always wants the best for us. His Word constantly brings us guidance and wisdom.

Here’s His reminder to the Israelites (and a glorious promise!):

“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river!” Isaiah 48:17b-18 NIV.

There is also a component of free will/freedom that is the most precious- that of choosing with our whole heart, soul, and mind to love God. It is His greatest commandment, but He leaves it up to us to decide if we feel the same about Him as He does towards us.

Freedom from Sin

We use our freedom to sin daily. (Sounds horrible, doesn’t it?) But even as Christians, we remain under the curse which has us lean towards sin.

We can’t release the power sin has in our lives on our own. Even the very best of intentions to “clean up our act” are not enough. We need the saving power of Jesus to give us freedom from sin.

Jesus went to his hometown of Nazareth to reveal this truth to the Jews. While teaching in the synagogue, He read from the scroll of Isaiah:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor, He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor… Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:18-19,21 NIV.

The “year of the Lord’s favor” included a cancellation of all debts, and the granting of freedom for all slaves. Jesus was telling them His mission was to free us from the slavery of sin.

Jesus later addressed the same topic:

“Everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” John 8:34 NIV. We cannot escape the habit of sin!

Free in Christ

But Jesus continues with the cure-

“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 NIV.

Freedom from sin comes through accepting Jesus’ death on the cross as payment for our sins. Only He can set us free from the death penalty we deserve and offer eternal life with Him in its place.

Sin then loses its power over us, and Jesus’ power takes its place. What a beautiful truth Jesus saves us from the penalty AND the power of sin in our lives!

The power of Christ within us gives us His control for our lives. The more we trust and follow His will and guidance, the old sinful habits, thoughts, and attitudes melt away.

We find true and lasting freedom in only one place- a personal relationship with Jesus.

Freedom in Christ also comes with an entire bundle full of “extras.” Here are a few:

Freedom from Guilt

When we sincerely repent, God grants forgiveness. Not only does He remove our sin, He doesn’t remember it happened.

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12 NIV.

Satan loves to haunt us with our past failures to create guilt and shame. This can leave us living in the past, robbed of the everyday joy and peace we should be feeling.

 When Jesus sets you free from sin, you are completely and 100% forever free from the burden of guilt as well. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ!

Are you living in His truth and freedom, or trying to please God by your actions?

Freedom from Fear

As wild and improbable as it may sound, the King of the Universe desires a personal relationship with us.

Yes, you!

The only way that could happen was by Jesus’ sacrifice. We are now free to build upon our relationship and have nothing to fear. Not for today, what tomorrow brings, or for eternity. He is our God, and gives us His assurances of strength, help, and victory over sin. He has chosen us, loves us, and never leaves our side.

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV

Does fear keep you from fully surrendering your life to Him? 

Freedom to Serve

“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13 NIV.

Paul reminds us we shouldn’t use our precious freedom to live worldly agendas or just to please ourselves. Jesus gave it all for us and He has a plan for our lives- to be a blessing to others and focus on living for Him.

Jesus gives us the perfect example to follow. He had more freedom than any person on earth and He used it to serve others in love. He freed us so we could do the same.

Service comes from a heart overflowing with appreciation and love for the freedoms God gives. Where are you serving? Is anything holding you back?

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The Truth Will Set You Free

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 NIV.

Likewise, if we “hold to” His teaching- accept the truth of our spiritual condition and His sacrifice on our behalf- we are free. His truth shows us clearly how to seek, follow, and serve God.

Jesus is the truth that sets us free. He didn’t give us the freedom to do what we want, but the freedom to be all that God meant us to be.

Learning leads to greater and greater freedom. How are you “holding” to His Word?

Freedom in Christ Verses

•“Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.” 1 Peter:2:16 NIV.

This verse reminds me of the quote- “Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible nonbelievers ever read.” We can’t let our freedom in Christ be an excuse to sin. Instead, show His love and respect to others so they desire His kind of freedom in their lives.

•“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV. We are loved and accepted, forgiven and free when we trust in Jesus!

• “But now He [God] has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” Colossians 1:22 NIV. Our freedom in Christ comes through the only way possible- Jesus’ sacrifice. He then wiped our record clean like a judge declaring a defendant not guilty, acquitting us of all charges. It is as if we had never sinned.

Freedom of the Gospel

•“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 NIV. Paul tells us to persevere and to persist in living out our freedom.  Jesus died so that we can live free- unencumbered by the burdensome laws that were impossible to keep and indulging in our old desires that lead us to sin.

Christian life is a progression; a moving forward- learning, trusting, resting in His grace, mercy and love. We are running a race- straight into Heaven! Keep going!

True Freedom in Christ 

I don’t think about my freedom in Christ very often. Do you? This week is the perfect time to reflect on how we use the freedom we have been given.

Freedom is the essence and foundational basis of Christian living. This freedom is something to relish and enjoy! We are free from sin and guilt and condemnation. The penalty and power of sin are gone. He has unshackled the chains of sin that call to us. We are free to indulge in His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, forgiveness, and compassion.

Let’s fix our eyes on Jesus as we persevere to run the race and live the life of freedom He called us to live- now and forever.

Blessings of Freedom!

AnnMarie

Photo Credit: Deposit Photos

¹https://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/

6 thoughts on “Freedom in Christ”

  1. Pastor Maimbolwa Musinga

    Thank you I have learned to use my freedom to serve others in love, truth, forgiveness and also to build my relationship with him (God) who has given his only son to free from the death penalty that I actually deserved. Thank you for the powerful word.

  2. So good!!! I love this: Only He can set us free from the death penalty we deserve and offer eternal life with Him in its place. We sang Amazing Grace in church yesterday. I love the refrain “My chains are gone, I’ve been set free”
    Thank you, Ann!

    1. I love that song too! Thanks for the encouragement! I needed to be reminded of so many truths about my freedom in Christ too!

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