Introduction Last Wednesday, Americans celebrated freedom. Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” As Christians, we have freedom in Christ as the apostle Paul said, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free” (Galatians 5:1a). In this lesson, we will study what freedom in Christ is and what it is not.

The Bondage of Sin Jesus warned about this danger. “Whoever commits sin is the slave of sin.” (John 8:34) Sin starts out as being fun (Hebrews 11:25) but as you yield your body as an instrument to sin it becomes habitual and addictive. (Romans 6:16; Ephesians 2:1-3) Sinful addictions (drugs, drinking, gambling, etc.) can lead to despair and even suicide. You become a prisoner to the law of sin waging war in your members even when you want to do what’s right (Rom. 7:14-24).

In Christ- Free from the Bondage of Sin The apostle Paul said, “Who will set me free from the body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 7:25). When we obeyed the gospel, we were freed from the bondage of sin and became slaves of righteousness (Rom. 6:3-6; 17-18) which even included the Corinthians (1 Co 6:9-11) You can let your mind dwell on the things that are excellent & praiseworthy (Phil. 4:8). God provides you a way of escape from every temptation to sin (1 Corinthians 10:13).

In Christ- Free from the Punishment of Sin Sin is the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4) in which we are all guilty (Romans 3:23). Unforgiven sin separates us from God (Is 59:2). The wages of sin is punishment in hell. (Rom. 6:23; Rev. 21:8) But “there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2). Now we can serve God with an innocent instead of a guilty conscience (Heb. 8:12; 9:14).

Freedom to Serve Jesus Christ Instead of binding where God has not bound (i.e. must be circumcised to be saved) the brethren should have been serving one another through love (Gal. 5:2-6, 13b). While there are laws against sin, there is no law against the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:19-23). We have the freedom to worship, preach the gospel, encourage each other to love and good deeds, and help saints and sinners as we have opportunity. (John 4:23-24; Matthew 28:18-20; Hebrews 10:23-24; Galatians 6:10)

Freedom in Christ is Not a License to Sin Multitudes have been deceived by this error of false teachers who promise freedom but are slaves of corruption (2 Peter 2:19). “Do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh” (Galatians 5:13). “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound. God forbid!” (Romans 6:1-2). Jude warned about ungodly people who turn God’s grace into licentiousness (Jude 1:4). You only have freedom in Christ to do what is right not wrong (James 2:10; 4:17).

Freedom in Christ Does Not Mean I Am Free to Cause Others to Stumble Some argue, “We live in a free country so I can do whatever I want with my body.” If you are a Christian, your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and you were bought with the precious blood of Christ so you are to glorify God in your body (1 Cor. 6:19-20). In this hot weather, many are going out in immodest dress and causing others to lust. Jesus said that it would be better for someone to be drowned than to cause one to stumble (Luke 17:1-2)

Conclusion Thank God that we still have freedom in this country to worship Him but it wouldn’t matter if we didn’t have the hope of heaven. We are all guilty of sin but Jesus overcame the devil who had the power of death so that we might be free from the bondage and condemnation of sin and can serve Him. (Hebrews 2:14-15) But freedom in Christ does not mean you have a license to sin or cause others to stumble. If you are not in Christ, be free from sin by obeying Jesus today so that you will not suffer in hell later (Heb. 5:9; 2 Th. 1:7ff)!