Free Indeed: What Freedom in Christ Actually Means

Is it possible I'm more captive than I realize?

The people Jesus was talking to had just believed in him and were convinced they had no chains. They were standing in Jerusalem under Rome, celebrating deliverance from Egypt, and still missed their own slavery. It is possible to be certain of your freedom and still be bound.

Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s offspring, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How do you say, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin.

John 8:31–34

If you do well, won’t it be lifted up? If you don’t do well, sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you are to rule over it.”

Genesis 4:7

Don’t you know that when you present yourselves as servants and obey someone, you are the servants of whomever you obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?

Romans 6:16

Why does it feel like surrendering to God would cost me my freedom?

The pastor compares sin to a voice that never says 'put the handcuffs on.' It always promises that this choice will be the thing that makes you free. Desire makes giving something up feel like loss, even when the thing we're afraid to lose is the thing holding us.

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took some of its fruit, and ate. Then she gave some to her husband with her, and he ate it, too.

Genesis 3:6

For when you were servants of sin, you were free from righteousness. What fruit then did you have at that time in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now, being made free from sin and having become servants of God, you have your fruit of sanctification and the result of eternal life.

Romans 6:20–22

Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don’t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:1

If I already belong to God, why am I still performing to earn it?

A slave in the house has a room but no inheritance, working each day for another meal. A son already belongs before he does a single thing. The pastor points to that difference as the place freedom begins: resting in acceptance rather than earning it.

A bondservant doesn’t live in the house forever. A son remains forever. If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

John 8:35–36

For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

Romans 8:15

And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Galatians 4:6–7

“He arose and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let’s eat and celebrate; for this, my son, was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.’ Then they began to celebrate.

Luke 15:20–24

How do I know whether my desires are really leading me toward freedom?

The pastor offers a simple test: can I say no? If there's a desire you cannot put down, it does not belong to you. He also points to the fact that our strongest wants can make surrender feel like loss, even when what they offer is not the life God has for us.

Also delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalms 37:4

I say the things which I have seen with my Father; and you also do the things which you have seen with your father.” They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.

John 8:38–39

Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:2

…whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who think about earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,…

Philippians 3:19–20