Human beings have been searching for freedom for thousands of years. In most countries today, freedom is considered one of the highest virtues. People who are oppressed around the world long for freedom, as they have always done. They want to break free and take control of their own lives. However, the freedom that we find in the Bible is not the same as economic or political freedom. The freedom in Jesus Christ goes far beyond that. The freedom found in Christ is not of this world. If we look at history, many oppressed individuals had complete freedom in Christ, even if they were imprisoned, tortured, persecuted, and killed. This freedom brings joy amidst sorrow and peace amidst turmoil. According to the Bible, all human beings are slaves. Spiritually speaking, no one is free. You are either slaves to sin or slaves to righteousness (Romans 6:15-23).
It takes the power of God for us to be totally free from our sins. The only way for us to taste freedom from the penalty and power of sin is through Jesus Christ. This is why He is often called the great redeemer. Jesus is the true liberator of humanity, since He has set us free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). Because of this, the Bible tells us to keep standing firm and not be subject again to a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1).
The only real and true freedom that one can obtain is through becoming a slave to Christ. At first glance, this might seem like a contradiction, as “slavery” has a negative connotation to us human beings. Such a term is repugnant, since it has come to represent inequality, hardship, torture, oppression, and degradation. However, being a slave to Christ does not cause harm or degradation to human beings. In fact, it achieves the opposite. Becoming a slave to Christ means that you will be able to experience abundant joy and true peace. The products of this true freedom include love, contentment, redemption, satisfaction, sanctification, and ultimately, glorification.
Far from being oppressed and tortured, slaves of Jesus Christ are truly free. Jesus said in John 8:36, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Along with the Apostle Paul, Christians can confidently say, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death,” (Romans 8:2). Jesus claimed that He is the Truth (John 14:6), and we all know, even secular people, that the truth can set us free (John 8:32). In Christ, we are not only free, but we have become sons and heirs of the Most High God (Galatians 4:1-7). As heirs of the kingdom of God, we have become partakers of that magnificent and glorious inheritance, which is eternal life.
Leave a comment