Freedom is a biblical theme that finds expression both in the spiritual and social realms of our lives through salvation in Jesus Christ. When we look at both the Old and New Testaments we find that freedom is a very complex and multifaceted concept. The Bible addresses political freedom, freedom from the institution of slavery, freedom from oaths and obligations, freedom from guilt and punishment, freedom from sinful and destructive habits. In Christ some of these overlap, but these basic categories of freedom enlighten us about the freedom we have in Christ.
Paul teaches us that we have a new freedom in Christ. It is the freedom from sin. It doesn't mean we are sinless, but Paul shows us that we not only have freedom from the penalty of sin, but freedom from the power of sin over us. The Spirit empowers us to resist habitual disobedience.
Freedom is not the ability to do whatever one desires. Otherwise we would become slaves to our own passions. Rather the Bible clearly states that freedom is the ability to deny one's self, to deny one's desires in the interest of pleasing and glorifying God in our obedience to Him and our worship of Him.
We must not take our freedom to worship Him as we see fit for granted. I have been in worship where believers were dragged from the church and beaten on a Sunday morning because they were not attending a political rally down the street. In fact I was preaching when it was taking place, not knowing if they would try to stop me; I just kept preaching. In America we are free from those kinds of things and yet we take for granted opportunities to worship Him. May we glory in the One Who gives us those kinds of freedoms to bring glory and honor to His name! mjm
