God Is The Source Of Our Freedom

Recently, I was asked to speak in a breakout session about what God has been the source of in my life. Sounds simple. But have you ever considered what God provides for us? God is the source of more things than I could probably ever know throughout my life. How could I possibly pick one? As I considered my options, though, I continued to come back to who I was before salvation. I had been a slave to my sins for decades, but now I’m free from all that. I have freedom, but I didn’t free myself. God is the source of our freedom.

God Is The Source Of Our Freedom, But What’s Freedom?

I think it’s essential in any conversation to make sure everyone is talking about the same thing. How many times have you been discussing something with someone only to realize that you’re using the same words, but you actually mean very different things? Christians have this issue come up with all kinds of terms that seem self-explanatory such as Christian, election, submission, and baptism. We’ll just leave those terms right where they are, though. Those topics could lead to hours of debate.

For not, let’s define freedom to make sure we are on the same page.

Land Of The Free

Here in America, we live in a free country. Americans are known for their love and strong defense of freedom. It has almost become an entire personality trait.

The Oxford Dictionary defines freedom as the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. Sounds good to me. I’m happy to have it, and I’m thankful for the men and women who risk their lives to protect our freedom. However, if our government locked us down in some Communist regime, stripping us of our rights and individuality, Christians, we’d still be free because we have biblical freedom. That’s something only God can give us, and no man can take it away.

The freedom we receive from our relationship with Christ moves us in two directions at once. We have the freedom from… and the freedom to… 

Freedom From…

Most believers tend to focus more on what they’ve been freed from, and that’s completely understandable. Sixteen years ago I thought I was on the right path. People looking in on my life approved of what they saw and encouraged me to keep on doing what I was doing. Truthfully, I liked my sin.

Sure, my sin was unsatisfying and made me feel terrible, but I didn’t blame the sin for any of that. I assumed there was something wrong with me for not being happier with my choices, so I did the most logical thing someone with a secular worldview would do. I sinned more.

This sin isn’t making me feel better? Hmm, maybe I should try that. That vice isn’t satisfying? No problem, I’ll just double how much I do it.

This approach makes me think of what happens when I have my favorite pizza in front of me. Sometimes, almost always, I feel uncomfortably full and know the meal should be over. Even so, I end up eating one or two more slices. The first were so good that I can’t help myself. That pizza looks good, smells, good, and tastes good. It also ends up hurting me because no one woman should be eating nearly an entire large pizza.

My sin was like that pizza. Even though it was hurting me, I just helped myself to more in hopes of an improvement because it appeared good. It’s a ridiculous cycle, and I was stuck on it. I was a slave to it. Salvation freed me from that bondage to sin. I hope every one of you can say the same thing.

Freedom, in a biblical sense, is usually explained as freedom from sin, and it’s accurate. Oh, but it’s so much more than that. God is the source of our freedom, right? But free from what? Let’s see.

1. God is the source of our freedom from the works of the flesh.

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Galatians 5:19-21 (ESV)

At first glance, this list might seem way beyond anything you’d do. My eyes immediately turn to words like sorcery and orgies when I read this list. With just those in mind, I can easily deceive myself into believing I have never and would never indulge in works of the flesh.

Upon closer inspection, however, I do see words that I can remember defining my life before Christ and even peppering my life in Christ. Sin is unavoidable in this world, but with Jesus as our Savior, our relationship with it can be forever altered. These sins no longer define us because we are set free from the bondage of sin. And that leads to the next point.

2. God is the source of our freedom from the bondage of sin.

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”

Romans 6:14

Let’s take a moment to praise God for the fact that we don’t live under the Law any longer. For one, I’m way too squeamish to sacrifice animals.

More importantly, though, is that we can’t succeed under the Law. Without God’s grace, we’re on a hamster wheel of works in a desperate attempt to earn our way into Heaven. Ladies, the scale of good and bad deeds will never weigh in our favor.

Can you imagine being trapped in that system of works? It’s horrible, and the whole world is filled with people living that way. But not you. You’re free from slavery to sin because of the remarkable grace bestowed upon you by God.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9

3. God is the source of our freedom from the curse of the Law.

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”

Galatians 3:13

Before Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, we were all cursed by the Law because we could not help but sin. Have you tried to go an entire day without committing even one sin? Thankfully, I have made it more than four decades without committing an actual murder. On the other hand, seeing as grumbling and complaining are sins…

My point is simple. We are sinners who can be counted on to sin. This one short verse reminds us that we are free from the curse of trying to keep the Law because Jesus took the burden of that curse for us on the cross, redeeming us.

4. God is the source of our freedom from Satan’s dominion.

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”

Colossians 1:12-14

Have you sensed an underlying theme in our freedom in these verses? Redemption through Jesus, right? Without Him, we can’t be free. And here in Colossians, we see yet another thing from which we’ve been made free. Satan’s dominion.

Satan has power over the unsaved. Nothing an unbeliever does is for God’s glory because it is rooted in sin. Even the good an unbeliever does is tainted with sin.

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

Romans 3:10-12

We are plucked out of Satan’s grasp when we are saved, and he no longer has power over us. We serve the One True God. Our King is Christ and Christ alone.

5. God is the source of our freedom from God’s wrath.

“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.”

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

I never want to encourage someone to come to Christ out of fear alone. True repentance and faith in Christ are necessary. That said, there really is something to fear in death without knowing the Lord.

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Matthew 10:28

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:”

Matthew 25:41

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

Revelation 20:15

My sin has earned me a terrifying dose of God’s wrath. If my works were the standard, I’d stand as a guilty sinner awaiting judgment. However, Jesus bore the wrath on the cross for the world. And, being cloaked in Christ’s righteousness, we can rest assured we will not be recipients of the wrath we deserve. The payment for our sin has been paid.

6. God is the source of our freedom from guilt.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”

Romans 8:1-2

Would I be guilty in a court of law if I was on trial for committing sin? Yes, obviously. Then, by God’s standard, I should be condemned. But then enters the plot twist. I’m set free and found not guilty.

Christ took my punishment, died my death, and then He defeated death completely by rising again on the third day. Did He do it to show off? No. He did it to make eternal life possible. He did it to offer salvation to all who would accept it through Him. Because of His willing sacrifice, Christians are forgiven and cloaked in His righteousness. We’re not guilty in God’s eyes.

7. God is the source of our freedom from the fear of death.

“But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:”

2 Timothy 1:10

We’ve already established that believers won’t spend eternity suffering in the lake of fire, but eternity is infinitely better than just not suffering. We’ll be with the Lord, and He’s anticipating our arrival!

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”

John 14:2

Moreover, this place is not some land of uncertainty. We don’t have to wonder if we will like it there or fit in. It’s our true home with our true family and the True God. We belong there.

As if that were not enough, we are going to have perfect bodies. No more aches and pains. Say goodbye to insecurity about your appearance. Never be ill again!

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”

Philippians 3:20-21

8. God is the source of our freedom from legalism.

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

Galatians 5:1

Sometimes we forget about legalism being a form of bondage. On the outside, legalism certainly has a nicer appearance than works of the flesh. I think we excuse legalism because at least it’s not…fill in the sin. If you think about it, though, it’s simply not excusable.

If we understand legalism to be a strict adherence to the Law for salvation and blessing, then we are actually describing works-based salvation. Sometimes this manifests in someone by claiming to never sin which is untrue for any person (1 John 1:8). Others, though, will add to the Law to get in better with God. So, in order to not steal, they will say it’s a sin to go into a store without enough money to make a purchase. Suddenly, the bar has been raised beyond that which God set for us.

All of this, however, is more bondage. We are free from the Law thanks to Jesus. Why put the shackles back on?

Biblical freedom releases us from shackles. That is not debatable. However, biblical freedom isn’t simply a list of things God (thankfully) removes from our lives.

Freedom To…

God is so good. He isn’t just the source of freedom from things we ought not have in our lives. He’s also the source of freedom to have good things. I’d argue that we forget about that despite its importance in our Christian walk.

Imagine being a new believer and being freed from things in your life that separated you from God but feeling as if you were left with nothing. How discouraging! Our God doesn’t just take things away. He gives abundantly, as well.

The Freedom To Sin?

I addressed our freedom from the Law earlier, and I want to take a moment to clear up any potential misunderstanding concerning that freedom. Some criticism from our works-based salvation friends is that born-again Christians use God’s grace as an excuse for a free-for-all when it comes to sin. That accusation is not based on what a true believer’s walk with the Lord will look like, and it isn’t representative of what Scripture says. Although we are no longer under the Law, we are not given a license to sin. In fact, as we grow in Christ, we will naturally pull farther away from our sinful behaviors.

God’s Word has clear, strong language on this matter. So, don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

Galatians 5:13-14

“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.”

1 Peter 2:16 (ESV)

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?”

Romans 6:1-2 (ESV)

“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.”

1 Corinthians 10:23-24

Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s dive into what we are free to do.

1. God is the source of our freedom to approach God.

“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”

Hebrews 10:19-22

“The veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom” (Matthew 27:51) when Jesus died. That veil separated the Holy of Holies (which housed the Ark of the Covenant) from the Holy Place. Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies and be in the presence of God, and his access was limited to the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur.

The veil being torn after Christ completed His work on the cross changed our access to God forever. We no longer need priests to mediate between us and God. We have the freedom to come to Him ourselves. I confess to God myself. I pray to Him without an earthly man’s assistance. All those who are saved are now believer priests.

2. God is the source of our freedom to bring concerns and requests to God.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

Philippians 4:6

God already knows your requests. He knows when you don’t even know for sure. Romans 8:26 tells us that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us even when we don’t know how we should pray.

However, isn’t it interesting that God encourages us to pray to Him anyway. He doesn’t need us to tell Him our struggles, fears, needs, and desires, but He tells us to come to Him with those things. Why? Well, God wants a relationship with us, and He knows prayer is good for us.

Philippians 4:6 tells us to not to be anxious but instead turn to God with those worries. I think a person just has to know the Lord as Savior to really “get” this. When a Christian comes to God in prayer with a need, something shifts inside. There is comfort and peace in knowing God hears that prayer and cares about it. Furthermore, we are blessed in knowing that the Lord can carry that burden for us, and we can trust Him in whatever comes next.

3. God is the source of our freedom to relate to God as His child and heir.

“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

Galatians 4:6-7

Ladies, this isn’t just for the menfolk. It’s about us, too. We’re adopted into God’s family when we are born again. We are all made in the image of God, but not all people are God’s children. That position is reserved for believers.

And this adoption doesn’t look like a Cinderella story in which our adopted parent resents us and treats us poorly.

We are co-heirs with Christ. How mind boggling is that? We will share in Christ’s sufferings (Romans 8:17), but we will also share in an eternal inheritance. After what Jesus did for us, every bit of suffering we could encounter is worth it.

4. God is the source of our freedom to walk with God through life.

“And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”

2 Corinthians 6:15-17

Before salvation, a person is separated from God and living in the world as a member of it. After salvation, though, God calls us to be separate from the world. Yes, we’ll continue to exist in the world, but it’s no longer our home.

Walking with the Lord through life is not always easy. In fact, it’s much simpler to go with whatever others do and to downplay our faith. But we’re free to live for Him and be unlike the world around us. The world’s chains around us have broken, and we can live a godly life now. So, let’s do it.

5. God is the source of our freedom to display the fruit of the Spirit.

“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law…But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:18; 22-23 (ESV)

We have been freed from the works of the flesh, but God hasn’t left us with nothing to replace those works with. We have the fruit of the Spirit. Without Christ, we couldn’t ever truly embody or display any of these characteristics without them being touched by sin. Christ working in us, however, makes it possible to live out the fruit of the Spirit and point people to Jesus through that fruit.

6. God is the source of our freedom to live out God’s purposes in our lives.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Ephesians 2:10

People constantly ask themselves:

“What’s the meaning of life?”

“What am I supposed to do?”

“Do I have any real purpose in the world, and how do I know if I’m doing it?”

God has answered those questions for us in His Word. We’re meant to worship, love, and obey God. Additionally, Christ told us to lead people to salvation, baptize them, and disciple them (Matthew 28:16-20). These things are true for all believers.

There’s more, though. God has gifted each of us in unique ways, and we are meant to serve Him with those gifts. Much to my dismay, I’m not a natural encourager, but I know some folks who are amazing at encouraging others. Some are great teachers. Others are prayer warriors, musicians, evangelists, etc.

How do we know what to do? Listen for God’s urging. For instance, when the Holy Spirit prompts you to approach a young lady at church and invite her to your home for lunch, do it. God’s telling to be hospitable. Maybe you want to send a card of encouragement, prepare special music, or bring a meal to a grieving widow. If God is moving you to do it, go forward with it. He has good works for you in particular to do.

7. God is the source of our freedom to truly love others.

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”

1 John 4:7

For those who don’t know, my husband broke up with me about a year into our dating relationship because he wanted to be a Christian, but I hated them. Long story short, he chose Jesus over me. Not long after, he contacted me through email in order to explain himself and witness to me.

One of the things he said that has stuck with me after all these years is his claim that he wasn’t able to love me when he wasn’t a Christian. I was devastated to read that because I thought he loved me. Well, he did, but my husband was trying to explain to me that love isn’t truly love without God.

Because everything we do, even the good, is marred by sin when we are unsaved, his love for me was tainted. In Christ, however, he could love me the way Christ meant for a man to love a woman.

We’ve all heard it. God is love. True love is only possible with God. Otherwise, it serves us, comes with conditions, entangles itself with sinful behavior, or any number of other circumstances that make it less than the real love God offers.

8. God is the source of our freedom to enter Heaven.

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

John 14:2-3

We’ve covered Heaven, but it bears repeating that our eternity with God is not a guarantee to all people. Christians, we have the freedom to enter Heaven because we have been born again. No one can pray us in, our good deeds won’t be enough, and none of us will be able to negotiate ourselves into Heaven.

But for the believer, think of how liberating it is to know that no matter what happens on this side of eternity, you’re going to be in the presence of the Lord one day and be able to rejoice in a life without sin.

Final Thought

For a generation obsessed with freedom, too many don’t see the shackles of sin holding them down. Unbelievers feel free as they choose to sin, not feeling the restraints tighten around them. For those of us who are saved through Christ and are free – we still choose bondage on occasion, too. We’re saved but not perfect. Each time we sin, we put the shackles back on.

Don’t just see freedom as what is, thankfully, gone from your life. See it in its fullness as it is displayed in all you have now because you’re saved. And as you remember that God is the source of your freedom, also remember that freedom is available to anyone who will repent and put their faith in Jesus. Don’t keep that amazing truth to yourself. Show the other captives how to find freedom.

How else has God given you freedom?

Image courtesy of Vanna Phon via Unsplash.