Dear Christian,
It’s a joy to hear that you’re studying God’s Word and seeking to understand the riches of the freedom we have in Christ. In your question, you asked what it means to have freedom in Christ. Does it mean we’re free to live however we want, or is there a deeper and richer meaning to this freedom? This is a crucial question, for the concept of freedom in Christ is often misunderstood. Some see it as a license to do as they please, while others live as though this “freedom” is nothing more than a burdensome obligation to keep endless rules. Neither captures the beauty and balance of the freedom we have in Jesus. Let me walk with you as we explore what it means to be truly free in Christ and how to live out that freedom in a way that glorifies him.
What Is True Freedom?
When Scripture speaks of freedom, it doesn’t mean freedom to sin or freedom from all restraint. Instead, it’s the freedom to be who God created you to be – a child of God who lives in joyful obedience to him. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).
True freedom isn’t found in doing whatever we want. If anything, that kind of “freedom” is a subtle form of slavery – to our desires, to sin, and to the world. Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin” (John 8:34). Freedom in Christ is liberation from the chains of sin and death so that we may live in the joy of righteousness. It’s the freedom to love God and others, no longer shackled by guilt, shame, or fear.
Freedom Is Not a License to Sin
Beloved, some in our day think that grace gives us permission to live however we want. But as the Apostle Paul emphatically declared, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means!” (Romans 6:1-2). Grace doesn’t excuse sin; it transforms the sinner.
Imagine a prisoner who’s set free but chooses to remain in his cell. Would we call him free? Of course not! To live in sin while claiming the freedom of Christ is to remain in the bondage he died to deliver us from. Instead, Paul calls us to “consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11). True freedom leads us to forsake sin, not indulge it.
Freedom to Love and Serve
Our freedom in Christ isn’t only freedom from sin but also freedom for a purpose. Paul reminds us that our freedom is to be used to serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13). Think of it this way: a bird is free, not when it’s grounded, but when it’s soaring in the sky, doing what it was created to do. Similarly, you’re most free when you’re walking in the Spirit, fulfilling God’s purposes for your life.
This freedom empowers us to forgive those who wrong us, to bless those who persecute us, and to serve without expecting anything in return. It’s not the freedom of self-indulgence but the freedom of self-giving, modeled perfectly by our Lord Jesus, who “came not to be served but to serve” (Matthew 20:28).
How to Live Out This Freedom
To live in the freedom Christ has purchased for you, keep your eyes fixed on him. Abide in his Word, for Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). Freedom grows in the soil of God’s truth, not in the shifting sands of human opinions and traditions.
Additionally, be mindful of others. True Christian freedom is always exercised with love and concern for the consciences of those around us. Paul wrote, “Take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak” (1 Corinthians 8:9). In love, we willingly limit our freedoms for the sake of others’ spiritual growth.
Guard Against the Subtle Chains
Finally, let me encourage you to guard against two dangers: legalism and license. Legalism tries to enslave us with rules, as though we must earn God’s love. License, on the other hand, twists God’s grace into permission for sin. Both are false paths. Instead, walk in the Spirit, for “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17).
Remember, beloved, your freedom was purchased at a great cost – the precious blood of Jesus. Let this freedom lead you to live a life that reflects his holiness, love, and grace.
Key Principle
True freedom in Christ is not the license to sin but the power to live in joyful obedience to God, loving him and serving others.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you view your freedom in Christ – as a license to do as you please, or as a call to live in obedience to God?
- Are there areas in your life where you might be using freedom as an excuse for sin?
- How can you use your freedom in Christ to love and serve those around you more faithfully?
Action Steps
- This week, prayerfully read Galatians 5, focusing on verses 13-26, and ask the Lord to help you walk by the Spirit in true freedom.
- Consider one way you can serve someone in love, using your freedom to bless and encourage them in their faith.
Your brother in Christ,
Pastor Dale
Have a question about the Christian life? I invite you to send it my way. I’ll prayerfully and thoughtfully respond with encouragement and guidance to help you in your walk with Christ. Rest assured, your identity will remain anonymous, but your question may bless others who are wrestling with the same issue and are afraid to ask. Together, let’s grow in faith and glorify the One who calls us his beloved.
