What Does the Bible Say About Freedom?

To be free is one of the strongest human desires, but what does the Bible say about freedom?

Slaves of Sin

The Land of the Free, but those who live in the land are still slaves to sin.

Think about our time before faith in Christ? Not only was I, but “you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed” (Rom 6:17). But the Apostle Paul’s question is a good one in asking, “Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness” (Rom 6:16)? Most people think they are free, but really, like I was, they are still slaves to sin, whether they know it or not. Regardless, you are a slave to something! Either you are a slave to righteousness or a slave to sin. Just think back to “when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness” (Rom 6:20), but now, “having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness” (Rom 6:18). Or at least we should be striving for righteousness and be enslaved to doing the right thing instead of being a sin of slave which only leads to death (Rom 6:16).

Called to Freedom

Thankfully, when God called us, we were not called to keep the Law or save ourselves by our own efforts (Eph 2:8-9) but we “were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Gal 5:13). We’ve been set free by Christ but not free to do anything we want. If we think that, then we’re still slaves to sin (1 John 1:2)! God did not call us to be free to sin, but to be free from sin! We’ve certainly been set free from the penalty of sin which is everlasting torment according to God’s justice. In fact, God would still be just if He sent everyone to hell, but in order to show His mercy and grace, He sought us and bought us and then brought us to His Son, and when we trust in Him, we are truly set free…like never before.

The Son Sets Free

Once God opens our mind to understand our desperate need for mercy and grace through Jesus Christ, it sets us free from fear and the worry of death, sin, hell and God’s judgment. Jesus said “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32)…”So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). Not just free for a time….you will be free, forever! There is true freedom in Christ; freedom from worry or fear of man or freedom to be concerned about whatever may come (Rom 8:37-39). That is real, genuine freedom like the world doesn’t know.

Purchased by Christ

Several Bible translations mistranslate the word “servant” while it is actually “doulos” which means “slave.” So are we a slave or a servant? We’re actually both, but to be a slave of Christ?! Doesn’t that restrict our freedom? Not if you remember He sought us and bought us and taught us…so He owns us, but we are also His and He is ours! You don’t belong to you. As it were, we were a burning stick pulled out of the fire, so what joy to be owned by Christ! To be purchase us with His own blood, or as the Apostle Peter wrote, we were saved and redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Pet 1:19).

Slaves of Christ

By the way, slaves in the Roman world didn’t have it as bad as we think. In truth, they were more special to their masters than servants, and most often, slaves were loved by their masters, almost like one of the family. There are major differences between being a slave and a servant. A servant could show up late, do a poor job, and not feel happy about the family they were serving. The servant could get fired, but frequently a slave would actually become part of the family, some even gaining their freedom and inheritances from their masters. So slaves were treated far differently than were the servants, who could come and go, quit or get fired. Slaves were a permanent part of the family, so to be a slave of Christ is not what we might think of in terms of slavery. Of course we are also called brothers and sons and daughters of God, so we can’t mix our metaphors because we’re also called a branch and salt and light. But the relationship of slave toward master is that the slave serves and would do anything for their master. So too for us with Christ. He is our Lord and our Master, forever!

Freedom in Christ

God tells us the greatest of news in saying, “We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin” (Rom 6:6-7). This is the “freedom that we have in Christ Jesus” (Gal 2:4). God calls us to “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Pet 2:16-17). We are free to worship God and free from sin because of God but never free to sin. It is “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery” (Gal 5:1). Truly we can say that “the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Cor 3:17).

Conclusion

I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.

Here is some related reading for you: What Does the Bible Say About Independence and Freedom?

Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Tagged as: Freedom, righteousness, Set Free, Sin, Slave