What are the keys to freedom in Christ? How do we unlock them? How do we actually live this out? The answer lies in our relationship with Jesus. He is the key to unlocking this freedom.
As we enjoy our freedom in Christ, we still behave like we are slaves to our past. We get up, go to work every day, take care of families and we appear normal to most.
However, many of us struggle with the guilt of past mistakes; fear of the future, emotional and physical trauma so while we are physically free, mentally and spiritually we are being held captive by things we may or may not have control over.
In the Beginning
At the beginning of creation, Adam and Eve were placed in the garden of Eden.
God had considered and catered to their every need however He had one command.
You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die. (Genesis 2:17)
Both disobeyed God’s command through temptation and eventually, the curse of sin fell upon the entire world.
Every human being after that became a slave to sin meaning we are most inclined to sin because it’s our nature.
Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.(Psalm 51:5)
The Gift of Freedom
In the Old Testament, the Israelites had to bring turtle doves and other animals to receive forgiveness via the priest’s sacrifices.
This system addressed an outward requirement but was void of inward change and the people were bound to religious rites and rituals until God required the death of his only son to abolish the old system and bring freedom and salvation to a fallen world.
However, many people today refuse to accept Jesus Christ because they believe that Christianity is a restrictive set of rules; without recognizing that this is God’s gift of freedom to the entire world.
Freedom in God’s eyes is this… the power to choose what is righteous and morally upstanding in the sight of God.
Freedom In God’s eyes doesn’t give us permission to be irresponsible but it comes with grace knowing that if you mess up; there’s always room at the cross for you.
Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.(Romans 6:13-14)
What Has God Set Us Free From?
The Power of Sin
Without the redemptive blood of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit to help us to make Godly decisions versus yielding to our fleshly desires; we are fighting a losing battle.
Paul expressed the conflict Christians experience in conquering carnal desires that oppose the will of God but though challenging, we are victorious through Christ because we are not doing it alone.
I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.(Romans 7:21-23)
There is now 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)
This is not just physical death but spiritual death meaning the ultimate separation from God where your soul goes to hell for eternity.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
Thankfully, that doesn’t have to be our outcome because God made a way for us by sending his only son to bear the penalties of sin so we can live a purpose-driven life and ultimately have eternal life with Him when we die.
The Guilt of Past and Future Mistakes
Have you ever met someone stuck in the past. Wishing they would have made different choices and had different outcomes?
We all do at times but some of us live there, and the pity parties are endless.
This accounts sometimes for depression, anxiety, stress, and lifestyle diseases because we can’t go back and change anything.
Guilt and regret pound at you daily and eat away your will to live.
David could relate when he slept with Bathsheba and murdered her husband. His words
For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Nonetheless, there was hope as freedom came to him (Romans 32:4)
I will confess my transgressions to the Lord. And you forgave the guilt of my sin.(Romans 32:5)
We must first understand what the word of God means. It’s not just a book full of rules and regulations; it’s a living, breathing, active thing.
It’s a message that changes lives. It’s a guidebook to help us navigate through life.
It’s a map to lead us into the Promised Land.
There is a constant war between what you should do and what your flesh desires.
The Word of God along with prayer, fellowship, and fasting helps to fight against our carnal desires and to keep God at the forefront of our lives and decisions.
Repentance – One of the Keys to Freedom in Christ
The path to freedom is so simple. It begins with a simple confession of your sin and expressing your need for God.
We must repent from sin. That means we must turn away from evil and choose to follow God’s ways.
It also means we must confess our sins to God. Confession is an act of humility because we admit that we’ve done wrong.
It’s not something we do to make ourselves feel better. It’s an act of obedience to God.
You can invite him in at any point in your life. This is not reserved for those who had a great past or those who feel confident or competent.
It doesn’t matter what you’ve done or who you are; you can receive the forgiveness of God and experience true freedom.
We Must Trust Him For Salvation
If we truly believe that Jesus died for us on the cross, then we should trust him as Savior.
He has paid the price for our sins. He has taken the punishment for our sins.
He has been raised up by God to save us from our sins. We must trust him with our lives because he alone can give us eternal life.
There is Freedom in Free will
God is like the perfect host that spreads a lovely table of gourmet food and has invited you to eat.
Although He knew Adam and Eve would disobey him; didn’t force them to do what he asked; he gave them the option and room to make the right choice.
Today, God is still the same gentleman. He’ll never force us to serve or choose him but He invites us to because as a loving father; he wants the best for us on this earth and ultimately in heaven.
We have to serve God from a place of love and willingness and that cannot be achieved forcefully.
In conclusion
Freedom is experienced by having a personal relationship with God.
You’re able to discover your God-given purpose, make sound decisions; live a peaceful and contented life, and blossom and become who God has created you to be.
The freedom of God comes with responsibilities highlighted throughout the bible which will help us receive the blessings of God and to live a fruitful life.
If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)
I wear many hats; Wife, Mom, Minister, Blogger and Entrepreneur.
It’s not easy juggling everything but with the Grace of God, I can do all things!
Great read! I didn’t remember all these stories from the bible, my grandma got me my first one. Some of these passages I think have a different impact depending where you are in life, you have to be ready to understand but it can have an impactful message. I agree we all have a tendency to get stuck in the past and seeing one’s relationship with belief as a way to move forward is interesting! Thank you for sharing!
Beautiful. Freedom is only through God.
Great read! I didn’t remember all these stories from the bible, my grandma got me my first one. Some of these passages I think have a different impact depending where you are in life, you have to be ready to understand but it can have an impactful message. I agree we all have a tendency to get stuck in the past and seeing one’s relationship with belief as a way to move forward is interesting! Thank you for sharing!
AMEN!! Jesus came to set us FREE and gives us the true meaning of what freedom is!!