Have you ever stopped to consider what is really means to be free in Christ?
Whether you are new in your faith or you’ve been walking with God for a long time, this concept may be confusing.
Although I’ve been a follower In Christ for over 10 years, I’ve always taken this concept for granted. But when I read the scriptures that discuss freedom. I still have more questions.
These scripture’s are:
- John 8:36
- Romans 6:7-8
- Galatians 5:1
This is just a primer to what it means to be free In Christ.
What Is Freedom In Christ And How To Obtain It?
Freedom means you have a choice. It means you are longer restrained or controlled by the things that once held you back.
In America we are fortunate to be born into a free country, but there are others that are not so lucky. They live their lives oppressed, or even enslaved by others.
All of us are born as slaves to sin (Psalm 51:5). Our sin nature separates from God’s love and His freeing power of the Holy Spirit. The moment we decide to place our trust in God and follow Him is when sin loses the power to control us (Romans 6:6).
Freedom in Christ means that we are no longer controlled by sin. The power of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17) gives us the ability to resist our sinful desires, and instead of choosing the path of sin and death, we are free to choose life (Romans 6:22).
Our first step towards freedom is salvation (John 3:6-21). Once we open up your heart and invite the Holy Spirit in, the chains that enslave us is broken.
“ for he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness, and brought us to the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” Colossians 1:13-14
Does Freedom In Christ Mean I Can Do Whatever I Want?
Don’t be mistaken, freedom is not for unhindered autonomy. Whether it’s earthly freedom or spiritual freedom, there are always going to be laws, rules, and guidelines we have to follow. There will always be right and wrong.
“So I say, walk by the spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desired, but is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” Galatians 5:16-17
This passage goal on who is all types of sinful desires, or acts of the flesh, that we can still fall into if we are not careful, despite being free from the power of sin.
The Bible makes it very clear that if we continue to live like the world, we are still enslaved to sin, and that our future is not secure.
“ I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this, will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:21
Unfortunately, because of the prominence of sin in our lives, we must be so intentional about using to follow Jesus. We must choose daily between allowing sin to control our life, or following Christ, and experiencing ultimate freedom from sin.
“ Live ask people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up or evil, but living as servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:16
What Are Ways We Allow The Enemy To Control Us, Even After We Have Been Set Free?
“ For freedom in Christ has set us free; stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
The enemy long to keep you from experiencing is sharing for freedom you have in Christ by continuing to entice you with sin, and using guilt and shame to remind you of your sinful past. Even though you have been set free from the control of sin, Satan doesn’t want you to lose his grip on you.
Be free in Christ does not mean we will never fall back into our sinful ways, But it doesn’t mean that we are no longer under sin’s control. Before Christ redeemed us, our only choice was sin.
Sin is very powerful, and without the saving power of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, the enemy will always try to use sin to drag you down.
“ But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire is conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” James 1:14-15
Freedom in Christ not only means we are free from sin, but also that we are free from the burden of sin, or the guilt and shame of things we’ve done in the past.
“Once you were dead, because we were disobedient, and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil -The commander of the powers and unseen world. He is the spirit at work in our hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us want to live that way, following the passionate desire and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature, we are subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.” Ephesians 2:1-3
Satan loves it when we allow guilt and shame to reside in our hearts, win, even after Jesus, forgives us, the weight of our past feels way, heavy on our shoulders.
“ therefore, nowthere is no condemnation for those who are in Christ, Jesus, because through Christ Jesus, the law of the spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.’ Romans 8:1-2
Remember that one of the main characteristics of God is that of love. “God is love” John 4:16, and in 1 Corinthians 13:5, Paul says that “Love keeps no records of wrongs.”
The Bible tells us that when we are set free from all the sins of our pasts, they are forgotten and forgiven; You are no longer accountable for them.
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their nature to His cross and crucified them there.” Galatians 5:24
How Do I Avoid Going Back To Being A Slave To Sin Once We’ve Been Set Free?
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is my strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26
Once we’ve chosen to follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit Will one our hearts and mind. We don’t have to fall into temptation of sin any longer. Yes, we will be tempted, but thanks for the Holy Spirit, we will now have victory over sin. If we sin we can repent and turn away from that sin.
Most churches will have you believe you can only take communion at church. This is not so. Since Jesus died for we can have direct access to Him. We can pray the communion prayer ourselves and drink from the wine (grape juice) and break the bread. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
I take communion everyday. To keep my Spirit right with God.
Look to Jesus as your example to what you do when you are tempted. After fasting for 40 days in the wilderness, certain camper, Jesus, and tempted Him three times, in all three times, Jesus did not stumble into sin. Instead, He turned to the word of God, repeating scripture and worshiping His father. This is found in Matthew 4:1-11.
Jesus called the word of God our “daily bread” Matthew 6:11. Just as we need to eat to nourish our bodies every day, we also need to consume God’s Word o guard our hearts and minds from the enemy and from the temptation of sin Ephesians 6:10-17.
When we read God’s Word and pray regularly, when Kim Tatian comes our way, we will be ready to recognize it for what it is, and turn from it before it has a chance to take up residence in our life.
“So, I say, walk by the spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh Galatians 5:16
How Does Your Life Change When You Choose Jesus Over Sin?
The Bible may seem like a book of rules, but God’s Word, actually provide guidance on how to live it’s free as possible. It’s our manual for life. In Ephesians 4:8, Jesus says He freed us, and He took the captives captive.
We don’t go from being slaves to sin just to be enslaved to rules and expectations that are impossible to follow. That’s what Satan wants you to believe. Satan wants to deceive you and she believing that choosing to follow Jesus is means our life is over.
Freedom is always meant to be enjoyed. Freedom is meant to give you a new life, a fresh start, and an opportunity to be everything God designed you to be.
Once we have been saved, we become a child of God, and a part of His heavenly kingdom and God long to lavish Hid children with rich blessings of all kinds.
Here are a few verses that tell of the blessings we can expect to receive when we walk with God.
- Ephesians 1:3
- 2 corinthians 9:8
- Proverbs 16:7
- Colossians 1:11
If we declare with our mouth, and believe that Jesus is Lord that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. It is with your heart that you believe and are justified, but the truth of your mouth, that you profess your faith, and are saved. Romans 10:9-10.
From Pity to Praise 