Our Freedom in Christ

Scripture Reading: Romans 6:14-23

Scripture Text: “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” (V. 22)

(Freedom-liberty, free will, choice, self-determination, power to do, say, or think as one pleases; lack of restriction)

Song: “I Am From Sin Set Free”

John Newton

  1. Let worldly minds the world pursue,
    It has no charms for me;
    Once I admired its trifles, too,
    But grace hath set me free.
  2. Refrain:
    Free! free! free!
    I am from sin set free!
    This world has now no charms for me,
    For Christ hath set me free.
  3. Its pleasures can no longer please,
    Nor happiness afford;
    Far from my heart be joys like these,
    Now, I have seen the Lord.
  4. As by the light of op’ning day,
    The stars are all concealed;
    So earthly pleasures fade away,
    When Jesus is revealed.
  5. Creatures no more divide my choice,
    I bid them all depart;
    His name, His love, His gracious voice,
    Have fixed my roving heart.

When individuals are in the bondage of sin, fear, ignorance, prejudice and self, they are not free. During the last month, we celebrated “Black History Month.” The precious African Americans took to President Abraham Lincoln as their great emancipator. However, to all men and women everywhere, Jesus Christ is the supreme Liberator.

Freedom is an elusive dream to most individuals. It is something that they can never discover or find. Most people do not know where to look for real and true freedom. It eludes them. (Elude-remains undiscovered)

  1. First of all, Jesus gives us freedom from condemnation (blame).
  2. The woman taken in adultery was guilty of condemnation; however, Jesus did not condemn her. She deserved to be stoned. (John 8:1-5)
  3. Because the scribes and Pharisees sought condemnation for someone else, Jesus condemned them. (John 8:9)
  4. Jesus soon would die for her sins. The mission of Christ is to free all sinners from condemnation. (John 3:18-19)
  5. Romans 8:1-2. We go from the valley of despair and defeat to a place of spiritual victory.
  6. Next, we are free from spiritual darkness; we are now living in the light.
  7. Those who are saved walk and live in the light. (John 3:19-20)
  8. We are children of the light. (John 12:35-36)
  9. Ephesians 5:8 Since we are children of light, we cannot have fellowship with the works of darkness.
  10. I Thessalonians 5:5
  11. The song: “In the Light,” P. 288.
  12. Thirdly, we experience freedom from the death of sin.
  13. If we believe in Christ, we are resurrected to live a new life.
  14. Paul wrote about it in Romans, chapter 7; verses 24 and 25.
  15. The song: “From Death to Life,” P. 470 in The Evening Light hymnal.
  16. Fourthly, we should appreciate freedom from the bondage of sin.
  17. In a Hebrew household, a son had a right to free the slaves. (John 8:35-36)
  18. Paul spoke about it again in Romans 7, verse 23.
  19. The Gadarene demoniac man was in bondage to sin. Literal chains could not bind him. (Mark 5:3-4)
  20. Also, we enjoy a freedom from a defiled conscience.
  21. Acts 24:16
  22. II Timothy 1:3
  23. I Peter 3:16

These are just some of the freedoms that we are privileged to enjoy in Christ.