Freedom, for me, can mean being set free from any kind of enslavement. Thankfully, I’ve never been a slave in the commonly understood sense of the term. But life’s difficulties can enslave us. Problems with physical and mental health, relationships, careers, and finances can enslave us in a sense. And when we solve, or learn to manage, these problems, we have a sense of freedom. In this life, it will be just for a while, until something else comes along and enslaves us.
Spiritually, sin enslaves us. Without a Saviour, we’d be in chains for eternity. But when He sets us free, we are completely free of the eternal consequences of sin.
Romans 8:1-2
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
When we repent and trust in Christ, we know that our eternal destiny is secured. But while in this world, we only gradually overcome the presence, power and earthly consequences of sin in our lives. We live in a sinful, broken world, and even as Christians, we can be part of the problem rather than part of the solution.
The New Testament encourages us to think of ourselves as slaves to God.
1 Peter 2:16
“Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.”
Now, that doesn’t mean living a miserable life. Christians are happy to commit themselves to life-long learning, just as someone who is passionate about music might commit themselves to music. But we might come to see our lives as wasted when we over-commit ourselves to earthly goals. I think of the song Rock N’ Roll I Gave You The Best Years. By contrast, we have eternal freedom when we commit our lives to Christ.
Whatever lies ahead of us on earth, once we die, or if Christ returns before we die, we have the joy of knowing that we’ll be eternally free from sin and death and all the other difficulties of life in this world. It’s Amazing! Here are three hymns that illustrate how amazing it is to be free.
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
Amazing love, O what sacrifice
The Son of God given for me
My debt he pays, and my death he dies
That I might live, that I might live
(Last time only) That I might live!
My chains are gone, I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace
And finally, here’s a nice concise (5-minute) talk on Christian freedom:
Hibernia Gospel 