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Christians are Designed for Freedom
Contrary to popular belief, Christians should be the freest people on the planet. Many avoid receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, because they feel like they would be giving up their freedoms. Ironically, they’re not free at all; in fact, they’re in bondage to sin. As new creatures in Christ, we’ve been made new, and our new nature is free from sin.
Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
We have been given grace, which empowers us to choose righteousness over sin. It is not the ability to sin, and being free from the consequences. It is the righteousness of Jesus in which we stand. It has absolutely nothing to do with our own acts of righteousness (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). Because some have not grasped this truth, they have place themselves in bondage while claiming freedom in Christ.
Being Brought into Bondage
Colossians 2:20-23 If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence (see verses 1-23).
Even with the best of intentions, some bring others under religious bondage, and of course, they have brought themselves into it. How so? Because they have a partial understanding of what means to be righteous or holy, they add to what Jesus already did for them. For instance, they equate going to church, reading the Bible, and praying as things that make you “a good Christian.” Anecdotally, many times I’ve heard people say, “Well, I don’t go to church as often as I should,” when talking about God. Obviously, reading your Bible praying and fellowshipping with others are very good things; however, those acts don’t make anyone righteous, or holy.
Then there’s guilt by association or participation. “Don’t do this, don’t do that. Don’t eat this, don’t drink that. Avoid those who do any of these things.” Instead of allowing Holy Spirit to lead them in doing the right things, they call things sin that God may not call sin.
1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient (profitable): all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not (see also 1 Corinthians 6:9-20).
Obviously, this verse does not give us a license to sin; however, it does reveal we’re not under bondage to the law. In the Law of Moses, you will notice much of it has to with avoidance (i.e. “Thou shalt not . . .”). There is wisdom in avoiding some things to be sure; but again, it can never be equated to being righteous. Anytime you add something to the Law of the Spirit, you become self-righteous. “Well, I don’t do that!” If Holy Spirit convicts about something, obey Him. Bringing yourself under guilt because you failed at your idea of perfection is problematic.
For example, some could set a devotion time in which they pray and read their Bible. When something disrupts the appointed time and they fail to perform, they find themselves feeling guilty, or even put themselves under condemnation. Where’s the freedom in that? Did that make God angry or disappointed? Hardly! For one thing, you can never disappoint God, because He knows everything you will do, and has made provision for any possible failure. He loves you, which why Jesus came in the first place.
When a person moves into self-righteousness, he or she departs from grace.
Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
We cannot justify ourselves; if we could, Jesus would have had no reason to die on the Cross. By the way, self-righteousness leads to pride. Some feel as if they’re better than others, because of their supposed acts of righteousness. And who do they think they’re glorifying, anyway? Hmmm. Romans and Galatians are excellent books to study, if you wrestle with understanding what it means to be righteous and holy.
Walk in the Freedom of Christ
Galatians 5:1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
To make things simple, Jesus is our righteousness. The just live by faith, and those who are Spirit led are the children of God (see Romans 8:14).
Galatians 5:16-18 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Freedom from bondage depends on walking in the Spirit; not human rules and regulations.
