Abraham Lincoln once said “Freedom is the last, best hope of earth.” Of course, he was referring to the struggle of the slaves to be free. This principle, freedom, is one that all people deserve. It was what our founding fathers were looking for when they broke away from the English monarchy. It is the principle that stirs the passions of any people to rise against tyranny. But what is freedom? How is it defined?

The dictionary definition is “the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint.” However, one person’s definition and use of this word may differ from another’s. To some, freedom means to do whatever you want, whenever you want, however you want. Unfortunately, this ideology has moved into the realm of the spiritual.

One person, a Hindu, said “God given freedom – given to ALL mankind – means ZERO limits in anything you ever want to do or however you want to do it. Freedom means also to move freely around all planet, free of borders, free of administration, free of visa or other requirements.”

This is clearly not a Biblical definition of freedom. Paul said in Romans 6:16-18, “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”

Because we have been made free from sin, we are not at liberty to go about doing what we please. We are under the law of Christ. I am not free to worship as I please, but rather in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). I am not free to live as I want, but rather soberly, righteously and godly in this world (Titus 2:11). Yes we are free from sin, but that only makes us servants of God!

It is also important that we do not use or liberty in Christ as a cloak. “As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of vice, but as the servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:16. Christians, freed from the bondage of sin and of the law, and having the free spirit of children, must not use their liberty as a cloak, an excuse, for wickedness. Too many people think they are free to sin and God’s grace will cover them. Yet Paul said, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” Romans 6:1,2. 

Freedom from sin does not mean we are free from God’s law!

The only way to be truly free is to know the truth that comes from being a disciple of Jesus (John 8:31, 32). The Gospel obeyed, frees from the yoke of Satan, from spiritual task-masters, from fear, fills the soul with hope and the free spirit of a son who serves the Father from love. 

As we celebrate our national freedom, think about your spiritual freedom. Are you still under bondage to sin? Are you wanting to be free from sin? “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.” 2 Corinthians 13:5

By: Justin Odom