Walking in the Freedom of Christ

During the summer months, we celebrate two different holidays that focus on freedom. The first in June, is Juneteenth, the celebration of freedom from slavery for African Americans. The second is 4th of July, which celebrates our country’s freedom from Great Britain.

According to Merriam Webster, freedom is the quality or state of being free. But there is also another freedom that we have that is worth celebrating daily.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

Before we accepted Christ, we were stuck in slavery. We were bond by our past, by our mistakes, and by our failures. We were slaves to sin and we know that sin brings death. But we are now alive in Christ.

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

With this freedom, we no longer belong to anything but the Lord. The chains are broken. We are no longer chained to our old idols our old ways, our flesh, and our own selfishness.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:1-9

The Father knows everything about us and still chooses to claim us as his and cover us! We have been set free.

Romans 6 explains that our old selves have been crucified and our body that was once ruled by sin is now done away with. Because Christ raised from the dead, death no longer has control over him. As a result of this, we do not let sin reign in our bodies or follow its evil desires. Sin is no longer our master. Instead, we are slaves to righteousness. We pledge our allegiance to God’s teachings.

This is such good news!  We don’t have to walk in guilt and shame. When we repent, God not only forgives our mistakes, but he forgets them!

“Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more. And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary. Hebrews 10:17-18

Therefore, there 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

We are no longer bond to our former selves or Satan’s dominion.

For sin shall no longer be your master because you are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:14

What a loving God we serve that when he sent Christ to die on the cross for our sins, we became free from the power of sin. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are shown grace and mercy. My study bible says ‘we stand acquitted, declared NOT GUILTY BY GOD!’ Praise God! Even when the evidence was there, God still chose to set us free!

So what does it really mean to walk in the freedoms in Christ? Well lets talk about those freedoms that we now have. Just as we have been rescued and delivered from bondage, we now have new freedoms to enjoy God’s goodness. We are now an heir of God through Christ. Galatians 5:7 We are his people, and as our God, He promises to walk with us through life. We have freedom to walk in the purpose that he has given us.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

We are free to walk in the grace and mercy given to us through faith in Jesus.

The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:20-21

I believe a lot of us don’t walk in this freedom. We hold on to the things of our former selves, and we hide when we fall prey to our sinful nature as Adam and Eve hid in the garden. Instead of running from sin or simply sitting in it, we can run to Christ. His grace covers us and his mercy forgives us when we come to him. This doesn’t mean that we are free to act/do whatever, it simply means that although we have the Holy Spirit working within us, our flesh is sinful and sometimes we will fall into its trap. When this happens, we are not condemned but instead we are covered in the love of Christ. We don’t give permission for anything else to have control over us. We have the freedom to approach God and ask for forgiveness and restoration.

We become slaves to anything that we submit our will to. That could be money, food, culture, people, addictions, pride , greed, etc. When find ourselves making decisions that jeopardizes our freedom, we must take a step back and access the situation. We can ask ourselves:

1. Is this bringing me closer to or farther away from God?

2. Are my decisions being led by ______ or God’s word?

3. Is this showing my allegiance to Christ?

Remember grace is not something we earn, but something God gives freely to his people. Walk in his grace and mercy. Walk in the freedom bought my Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to both lead you and convict you.🤎