Christian Freedom

“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”  Galatians 5:13 

Liberty has always been a cherished concept to Americans, ever since the patriotic call of Patrick Henry for liberty or death. It was also a burning issue with the Jews at the time of Christ, chafing under Roman rule as they were. Many early Christians were actually slaves or even in prison for their faith. All those in bondage have longed to be free, and wars and revolutions have been fought to fain their freedom.

But the worst bondage of all is slavery to sin. No army can free a man from sin, and if he dies in sin, he will continue in bondage forever. Among the last words of the Bible are these: “Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy”
(Rev. 22:11).

It is only Christ who can set a sinner free. Christ died for our sins and through faith in Him we receive full pardon and liberty. “Our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin....and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness” (Rom. 6:6-7, 18).
   
There is no greater or truer freedom than freedom in Christ. “If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). Because of Christ, the very creation itself, now groaning and travailing in pain under the curse of sin, one day soon “will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God” (Rom. 8:21).

In Christ we now have freedom to live unto righteousness. “Having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life”
(Rom. 6:22).