Freedom In Christ – By Suresh Joel
The sermon was about how even after salvation, we end up living in chains instead of enjoying the freedom Christ gives us. The preacher asked children what freedom means to them and they replied: Running around/away, being out of slavery, doing what you want, no college, no job, no work.
God set us free from things that bind us. John 8:36 reminds that if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed. How many of us feel free? To get the context in which this verse is written, the preacher asked us to read John 8:31 to 38. To the Jews who believed, Jesus said this (verse 36). Preachers tell us that we are free but we need to ask if we are actually free. Based on some Google images that popped up on searching for freedom, this is what the world feels about freedom:
– We feel if we are out of everything we do, if we escape then we are free.
– When we have no pressure and can do what we want.
– Flying like birds.
– Doing and saying what we want.
Indians understand a lot better as we got freedom from foreign domination. Freedom is not doing or saying whatever i want. Can i swing my fist into the space your nose happens to occupy? That is not freedom. Absolute freedom without limits is an impossible concept. Christian freedom doesn’t mean we can do whatever we want. God sets us free from sin but do we still sin? God set us free from power or sin so that we will not be a slave to sin and be free from the penalty of sin (wages of sin is death). He took all penalty. This freedom means sin does not dictate, drive, or rule my life. Romans 6:12 talks about not letting sin reigns over us any longer. Acts 13:39 justification through Christ for those who believe. We can consider the following:
1. We choose to stop committing conscious sin.
2. The process of being made perfect that is a slow process. Initially, we struggle to resist sin then over a period of time.
3. Sometimes we feel powerless against the grip of sin. That time we are not appropriating our salvation properly. Whatever you resist becomes weaker; whatever you submit to becomes stronger. If you give in, it will become stronger. There is a battle between the flesh and the spirit.
The preacher also discussed the following:
Freedom from guilt and resentment
Lot of Christians live in guilt. Guilt robs us of happiness. Galatians 5:1 tells us about freedom from legalism. Guilt is a tool of legalism. If i pray, read, go to church, live a particular way, I’m good. You are a saint because of what Christ did. People feel guilty about not living up to God’s expectation. When you do something bad, you hurt God but He will not love you you less; like parents. He loves you because of who He is and what Christ has done. God doesn’t have list of things of need to do to be loved by Him.
Guilt vs. conviction
Conviction moves us towards God but guilt moves us away from Him. It’s from Satan; the Holy Spirit convicts.
Importance of freedom in church life
We need to set up a free, open family that is ‘unshockable’! Church should not be controlling. God is not shocked by our sins. If you react, the person will close and show another face. We don’t put rules. God is not vending machine; you put certain things and get love. Legalism in churches is for controlling. Galatians 2:4 mentions false teachings on legalism. Romans 8:1-2 tells the believers that they are free from the law of sin and death and there is no condemnation.
Confession, not condemnation
Colossians 1:22 tells us that we are free from (self) accusation. 1 John 1:9 mentions that if we confess, He will forgive our sins. Do not allow condemnation to rule your life. You cannot ruin God’s plan for you by anything you do. You feel you go to God so many times and ask for forgiveness and wonder how many times can God forgive. But if God asked us to forgive others so many times then imagine how much more can He forgive us. 1 John 3:20 aptly reminds us that if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart.
Freedom from fear of man
Do you fear that i will be rejected? Bear in mind that there is only one person whose acceptance counts and He has already accepted you. 1 Cor 9:19 Paul says that he is not obligated to any man but made myself a slave. What he did he did not do to please man but was obligated to church because he did what God wanted him to do. Proverbs 29:25 warns us that about the fear of man which is a snare. It can trap and bind you. Hebrews 13:6, Acts 5:29, Matthew 10:28, 1 Thessalonians 2:4 are some verses to meditate upon in this context.
We obey authorities but don’t give them power to control our life but we do some things due to societal pressure and end up sometimes giving power to people to affect our life. God frees us not by removing our fear of disapproval, but transferring it to the right place. You will be hurt if you want acceptance from people. You and they have faults so only God will accept you as you are. You need to confess your fear of man. Reason the fear and find the root. Articulating it helps to reveal the deception. Fear God only. As Charles Spurgeon said, we are far worse than what others say about us. If we realize this, we will not fear what people think.
Freedom from control of desire
Most of us are controlled by our desires. John 8:34-36 mentions Christ’s teaching about those who sin being slaves of sin. Gal 5:16 to 17 prescribes walking by the Spirit to prevent gratifying the desires of the flesh.
Freedom from fear of death
Hebrews 2:14-15 talks about how Christ has broken the power of death/the evil one. After Lazarus rose, people must have tried to kill him to destroy the living/resurrected proof of Christ’s power. But we can imagine Lazarus laughing as death doesn’t scare him. Why is death scaring us? We are dead to the world and risen to a new life in Christ.
Slaves of God
Romans 6:22 and 1 Peter 2:16 tell us that we are free from sins and have become the slaves of God. We have free will but because we love God, we won’t use it indiscriminately. You are allowed to do anything but it moves you away from God which is not beneficial. Good works won’t save you but because you are saved, you will do good works.
Reflection by Shubha Jha