Freedom, however, is not the experience of every country and people.

In Christ we can be spiritually set free from the power of sin and death’s hold over us.  No matter where you live, no matter what your conditions or circumstances may be, this freedom is something no one can take from you.  Wonderful news!  John 8:36 says,

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” 

This is a freedom available to all who will receive it.

Helping People Become Free

Jesus cued us in on how to become free when He said, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.  . . . So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (Jn. 8:32, 36). 

Our role, then, is to:

• Help those who are not in a personal relationship with God know this freedom by reaching out to them with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

 

• Help those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior to learn to live within that freedom.  This is part of the role of the Christian Education ministry of the church.

How We Use This Freedom Matters

Freedom in Christ doesn’t mean that we do whatever we want and whenever we want to do it.   We must rid ourselves of an attitude or mindset that we can slack off and pamper ourselves because we are free in Christ and He will forgive us (Rom. 6:1-2).   Instead, we must be considerate of those around us and in whatever we do live to the glory of God.

Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.  Show proper respect to everyone. (1 Pet. 2:16)

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.  (Gal. 5:13)

An Even More Glorious Freedom to Come

One day we will have no problem figuring how to live out the freedom we have in Him.   In heaven we will experience not only the freedom from the penalty and power of sin but also freedom from the very presence of sin.  Let your mind dwell on that thought for a moment.

Creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.  (Rom. 8:21)

In the interim of this earthly life, let us “live as servants of God.”

Whether or not we live in a free country, we can still be free in a way that supersedes any kind of physical freedom.  A price was paid by Jesus shedding His own blood so that we can be free from sin.  Over 2000 years later, the benefits are still felt today.  No longer bound by sin, our loyalty shifts to Him.  We celebrate by worshiping and living for Him.

Part of the problem of being free, whether that is as a country or spiritually, is that we can abuse that freedom or take it for granted.  In pursuit of personal freedom, we can offend others and stifle their freedom.  We can become inconsiderate and intolerant, not thinking of the other person because “we have rights.”  In reality, don’t we then become bound in our own selfishness ambition?

Be care, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. (1 Cor. 8:9)

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.  The entire law is summed up in a single command:  Love your neighbor as yourself. (Gal. 5:13-14)

Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.  Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers fear God, honor the king. (1 Pet. 2:16-17)

Spiritual freedom is what enables us to properly express physical independence and live victoriously in physical bondage.  We have higher principles to attain to than “my rights.”