America is, or at least at one time was, arguably one of the “freest” nations on earth. Through the Declaration of Independence, the country acknowledged the right of every citizen to have life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, all granted to us by our Creator. But America was birthed in rebellion. It told England, “You don’t get to control us anymore. We want to be our own boss and make our own rules.”  So, when the average person thinks of freedom, we often think of people’s ability to do what they want on their own terms. But that sounds more like the motto for satanism (“Do what thou wilt”) than Christianity. Why does the Bible talk about freedom in Christ when there seem to be so many more restrictions for Christians compared to the rest of the world?

Freedom in Christ

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”

Romans 8:2

It’s a fact that every person on earth belongs to somebody (Romans 6:16). We are not our own. Either we have been bought and paid for by the precious blood of Jesus Christ and belong to Him (Romans 8:9). Or we are slaves to sin, flesh, and the devil. One leads to eternal life, and the other leads to eternal death (2 Peter 2:19, Romans 6:23).

Freedom is found in Jesus Christ as Lord. Those who have become born again are now free (John 8:36, Romans 6:22). 

We’re free from the power of:

• Sin to destroy us (Romans 6:14). Christians are at peace with God through grace.
• Fear (2 Timothy 1:7). We have power, love, and a sound mind.
• Confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). We have peace.
• Death (the eternal kind) (Romans 8:2). Jesus gives eternal life.
• Divine law through grace (Galatians 5:1). It’s about what Jesus has done for us.

What About All Those “Restrictions”

When we submit to God as our Lord and Savior, we surrender our will to His. That means we do things His way instead of ours. We understand that while we are in this body, we still have a sin nature that leans toward things that are not good for us. We believe by faith that God’s way is best. After all, He knows everything. Plus, when we become born again, God is for us (Romans 8:31), loves us (1 John 4:19), protects us (Psalm 121:5), will fight for us (Exodus 14:14), and has good plans for/thoughts about us (Jeremiah 29:11). Best of all, when Jesus returns (which will be very soon), we will no longer be in our physical bodies, but we will be like Him (1 John 3:2).

As for right now, we restrict our:

• Words because we know they hold power to hurt or help (Proverbs 18:21)
• Desires because the heart is wicked and deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9)
• Actions because we know that we will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7).
• Thoughts because we must see the world as God sees it (Romans 12:2)

We can do these things because temperance, or self-control, is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). God gives us the ability to resist things that will harm us and do the things that are good for us and will please Him as our Lord.

Bob Dylan Nailed it

“But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the Devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody…”

“Gotta Serve Somebody” by Bob Dylan

Whether we realize it or not, we all serve somebody; we’re not our own. The good news is that no matter what country we live in on this earth, we all have the freedom to choose the life that Christ made available to us when we believe in the finished work of Jesus on the cross. Otherwise, the default position plays right into the devil’s hands. It’s serving ourselves by doing things our own way now and paying the eternal consequence later (Romans 6:23). 

See, one day the Lord will give each person what he/she deserves (Romans 2:6-8, 1 John 2:17, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). The wicked will be cast into hell (Psalm 9:17, Matthew 25:46, Revelation 20:15). Those who belong to Christ will have everlasting life (John 3:36) and will rule and reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:11-12, Revelation 5:10).

Choose wisely.

Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? If not, please click this link to find out more about Why Do I Need to Be Saved and exactly how to do it.

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