“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.”
– Acts 13:38-39
When the scriptures speak about freedom, it speaks about it alongside sin to show a contrast. It also says that everyone who believes in Christ is set free from sin. So, sin is the monster here. Sin is that which keeps people in bondage, when it grabs hold of anyone, it tortures, it damages people, friendship, family, relationships, trust. It ruins everything that is good.
To better understand freedom, we need to understand bondage. The contrasting nature of the two terms makes it important to appreciate them both. The same way that having a full understanding of poverty makes us appreciate abundance better. When it comes to sin/bondage and freedom in Christ, I guess you could rightly say that we have ALL sinned and come short of the glory of God – Rom 8:23. So, everyone has lived through the consequences and/or bondage of sin. That is whether in the past or in the present. Make no mistake, sin keeps people in bondage. When it grabs hold of anyone, it seeks to destroy them and nothing less. And we were all in the bondage of sin until Christ came and took away all our sins. He died to help us gain freedom. The famous hymn writer did say that “where sin has gone, must go his grace”.
Notice that, Christ only just sets free the ones who believe. It would be amazing for everyone to be set free and yes, God acknowledges and wants that. Nevertheless, he also appreciates the gift of free will that he gave us all. We are within our rights to exercise that and believe in him to appropriate our own freedom.
So, having been set free by Christ. What does this freedom mean to us? Well, the apostle Paul said this when writing to the Corinthians – I have the right to do anything —but I will not be mastered by anything”.
Freedom means that we are no longer aliens before God, it makes us the temple of God, where the holy spirit dwells. In essence, it gives us the presence of God. It unites and makes us one with God. It makes us into children of God and if children, then we become heirs to the throne along with Christ. Isn’t that awesome. Yes, that is what freedom does for us, it also gives us boldness to approach the throne of God to ask for help in times of need and whenever, really. What does that freedom mean to you? It means everything, my life, my all if you ask me! And to what end did Christ give us this freedom which came at a great cost to heaven? Well, that is simple, to the end that we may glorify the one who made us. It is our entire duty on earth, remember! So, let us use our freedom in Christ to glorify the one who called us!
Made Perfect In Weakness 