What a Freedom | Galatians 5:1

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Gal 5:1

The desire and pursuit of freedom is innate to man, but the idea of freedom does not come from man. Freedom is a divine attribute- fallen man is not born free. In the beginning, God created man to indeed be free; he was to rule over all creation. (Gen 1:25-26) But freedom was forfeited after the Fall. Man is now enslaved by sin, for everyone who sins is a slave to sin. (Jn 8:34) He became enslaved by creation, worshipping idols rather than the Creator. (Rom 1:25) He is enslaved by the flesh; his old nature that can do nothing but sin (Col 3:5-9), and he is enslaved by the ideas of culture, society, and politics. There are so many things that enslaves man, but in all circumstances, Christians are free. In Christ, there is true hope for all. Jesus Christ can set you free. (Acts 26:29)

Freedom is possible in Christ alone. Jesus paid the price for our freedom, by coming into this world as a man and by dying on the cross in our place.(Phil 2:6-8) Only Christ can set us free. Sin destroys freedom, but Christ alone is sinless– He was fully God, and fully man. He paid the price, offering a sacrifice of Himself that was accepted by God. Jesus was the only one who kept the law perfectly. He is the end of the law for righteousness, because He was punished in our place for our sin. (Rom 10:4) He is God Almighty, all powerful to redeem us, and He overcame the power of death by His resurrection– He rose from the dead to give us victory over sin and death. (1 Cor 15:56-57)

Essentially, freedom equates to salvation. If you are saved, you are free. Believers are free from the bondage of sin, no longer under the power of sin. They are free from the guilt of sin, because they have been forgiven by God. Christians are released from the tyranny of the law- they are free by faith, no longer trying to justify themselves by the law like the rest of the world. Finally, Christians are free from the fear of death. Only the redeemed can truly enjoy this freedom. (Phil 1:21-22) Those who are free are set apart from the world. Believers know where their priorities lie- God and His Word are prioritized over themselves and their physical needs. (Matt 4:3-4) They use their freedom to edify and build up others, loving selflessly by putting others before themselves. (1 Cor 10:23-25)

Jesus did everything to set you free- He died on the cross in your place. Therefore, we must stand firm, and not return to our old nature. How can we stand firm? We must consider ourselves as free. No matter what our circumstances are, we must maintain a strong conviction that we have been set free in Christ. (Rom 6:8-11) We must live by faith, by denying ourselves and living for Christ, who loved us and gave Himself up for us. (Gal 2:20) Repentance must be constant in our lives– sin is constantly striving to steal our freedom, but as you repent, you remember God’s faithfulness and righteousness. As we reflect on our salvation and our lives before and after Christ, we can be thankful to the Lord in all circumstances, because He has truly set us free. The reality of this world is getting bleaker still- are you free today? The gospel can set you free. It is for this freedom Christ has set us free.