“Pastor, I’ve by no means felt much less free.”
The younger man sitting throughout from me in my counseling workplace had the whole lot our tradition associates with freedom—a profitable profession, monetary independence, and full autonomy over his life decisions. But right here he was, shoulders slumped, describing his bondage to anxiousness, achievement, and approval. Regardless of breaking free from his strict non secular upbringing and embracing what the world calls liberty, he felt extra enslaved than ever.
His story isn’t distinctive. As a pastor and biblical counselor, I’ve witnessed a placing sample: the extra our tradition celebrates unbridled particular person freedom, the extra individuals discover themselves trapped in invisible prisons of habit, anxiousness, and infinite striving. The promise of “freedom to do no matter we want” has turn into a classy type of bondage.
Even inside the church, I usually counsel believers who’ve exchanged one type of chains for an additional. They’ve been free of legalistic backgrounds solely to turn into enslaved to performance-based Christianity, or they’ve damaged free from apparent sins solely to be shackled by the crushing weight of others’ expectations.
True freedom in Christ appears to be like radically totally different. The apostle Paul declares, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand agency due to this fact, and don’t submit once more to a yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1). Discover the deliberate redundancy in Paul’s phrases: “for freedom Christ has set us free.” This isn’t a mere rhetorical flourish—it’s a profound theological assertion. Christ’s work wasn’t nearly securing our authorized pardon however establishing our soul’s liberty. The command to “stand agency” suggests this freedom requires energetic vigilance. Like an emancipated prisoner who should resist returning to acquainted jail routines, we should actively resist the gravitational pull of our former bondage.
This freedom has each a destructive and a optimistic dimension: We’re liberated from sin’s penalty and energy whereas concurrently being free to reside absolutely as God supposed. The yoke of slavery Paul warns towards isn’t simply blatant sin—it may be something that stops us from experiencing the total freedom Christ secured for us, together with non secular legalism, which was the first concern in Galatians.
Breaking the Chains of False Freedom
Lately, I shared with my males’s Bible examine the story of Shaka Senghor, who spent 19 years in jail for second-degree homicide. Whereas I don’t consider he’s a Christian, he has some profound issues to say about bondage and freedom that go far past incarceration. Upon launch from jail, although bodily free, he remained imprisoned by guilt, disgrace, and previous patterns of pondering. His exterior chains have been damaged, however his inner bondage remained till he found a brand new objective and id.
This parallels many Christians’ expertise. We obtain salvation’s pardon however proceed dwelling as if we’re nonetheless certain. We trade one type of slavery for an additional—legalism, efficiency, habit, or people-pleasing. Jesus addresses this instantly in John 8:36: “So if the Son units you free, you’ll be free certainly.” The phrase “certainly” right here interprets the Greek ontós, that means “actually” or “really.” Jesus is contrasting superficial freedom with real liberty. The context exhibits Jesus talking to Jews who claimed Abraham as their father and regarded themselves free, but have been blind to their religious bondage. Equally, many believers at present declare freedom in Christ whereas remaining enslaved to patterns of pondering and dwelling that deny the very freedom they profess.
The Son’s freedom is complete and transformative. It’s not simply freedom from condemnation however freedom from the ability of sin itself. When Jesus units us free, He breaks each sin’s authorized declare on us and its sensible energy over us. True freedom isn’t nearly what we’re free of; it’s about who we’re freed to turn into.
The Paradox of Christian Freedom
Right here’s the attractive paradox: we’re free of sin’s tyranny to turn into “slaves to righteousness” (Rom. 6:18). Paul’s language right here is deliberately jarring. To our tradition, this seems like a contradiction—how can slavery to something be freedom? But Paul is exhibiting us that human beings are all the time serving one thing. The query isn’t whether or not we are going to serve however what we are going to serve. After we’re liberated from sin’s dominion, we’re not let loose into autonomous independence however into life-giving dependence on God. For this reason, in God’s upside-down kingdom, true liberty comes by means of submission to Him.
The imagery of slavery Paul makes use of isn’t meant to recommend oppression however relatively full devotion and allegiance. Simply as a slave’s total life belonged to their grasp, our entire lives now belong to righteousness—that means our ideas, actions, and wishes are progressively aligned with God’s character and functions.
This freedom in Christ manifests in three main methods:
- Freedom from sin’s penalty and energy
- Freedom to reside in God’s design
- Freedom for the aim of glorifying God
After we embrace this understanding, we cease seeing God’s instructions as restrictive and begin recognizing them as protecting boundaries inside which we will flourish.
Residing in Spirit-Empowered Freedom
The journey to true freedom isn’t achieved by means of willpower alone. Paul clarifies this in 2 Corinthians 3:17: “The place the Spirit of the Lord is, there’s freedom.” This assertion contrasts the previous and new covenants. The context reveals that true freedom isn’t present in inflexible adherence to exterior guidelines (the letter that kills) however within the reworking presence of the Spirit who provides life. The Holy Spirit’s presence and energy are important for experiencing and sustaining true freedom.
This explains why many believers’ makes an attempt to reside freely by means of self-discipline alone usually finish in frustration. The Spirit doesn’t merely give us a brand new algorithm to comply with; He provides us new wishes, new energy, and a brand new id (2 Tim. 1:7). He writes God’s legislation on our hearts (Jer. 31:33) and transforms us from the within out.
In my very own journey and in counseling others, I’ve noticed that lasting freedom comes by means of every day dependence on the Spirit. It’s not about making an attempt more durable however surrendering extra absolutely. The Spirit reveals areas the place we’re nonetheless certain and empowers us to reside in victory.
Sensible Steps Towards True Freedom
How can we stroll on this freedom virtually? Listed below are three important practices:
First, we should establish the “yokes” we’re tempted to select again up. These is likely to be previous habits, poisonous relationships, or legalistic tendencies. Identify them particularly and give up them every day to Christ.
Second, we have to embrace our new id. Freedom isn’t nearly habits modification; it’s about id transformation. In Christ, we’re new creations (2 Cor. 5:17). Residing from this reality adjustments the whole lot.
Third, we should stroll in neighborhood. Freedom prospers in genuine Christian relationships the place we could be recognized, beloved, and held accountable.
The Finish Aim of Freedom
The last word objective of our freedom isn’t self-fulfillment however Christ-exaltation. We’re free to show God’s glory and beauty to a watching world. After we reside in true freedom, we turn into compelling witnesses to the gospel’s reworking energy.
As Wayne Grudem notes, being a “slave to righteousness” means willingly submitting to God in a manner that results in flourishing. This isn’t oppressive; it’s liberating.[1] Like a prepare on its tracks, we discover our biggest freedom not by derailing however by staying on the trail we have been designed for.
Standing Agency in Freedom
Paul’s exhortation to “stand agency” in our freedom (Gal. 5:1) stays essential at present. The world’s counterfeits always beckon. However true freedom—rooted in Christ, empowered by the Spirit, and lived in neighborhood—brings the peace and objective our hearts really search.
Your freedom in Christ isn’t nearly what you’re free of, however who you’re freed to turn into. Stand agency on this reality at present, and let Christ’s freedom remodel each space of your life.
Questions For Reflection
- What particular “yokes of slavery” are you most tempted to select again up, and the way does the gospel handle every one?
- The place in your every day life are you counting on willpower relatively than the Spirit’s energy to keep up freedom?
- How has cultural messaging about freedom influenced your understanding of biblical liberty?
- In what methods are you continue to dwelling as if Christ hasn’t set you free regardless of realizing the reality of your liberation?
- Who is aware of your struggles and actively helps you “stand agency” within the freedom Christ has given you?
[1] Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994), 745.
