CHRISTIAN LIBERTY
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. [Galatians 5:1]
To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. [John 8:31-32, 36]
Salvation in Christ is liberation, and the Christian life is one of liberty. The Bible says in Galatians 5:1 and John 8:31-36 that Christ has set us free. Just what have we been set free from?
First, Christians have been set free from the law as a system of salvation. Being justified by faith in Christ, we are no longer under Gods law, but under His grace [Rom. 3:19; 6:14-15; Gal. 3:23-25]. Our standing with God is assured because we have been accepted and adopted in the Beloved. It does not, nor will it ever, depend on what we do, nor will it ever depend on what we fail to do. Christians live, not by being perfect, but by being forgiven.
The laws work is to arouse, expose, and condemn the sin that permeates our moral lives, making us aware of sins reality and consequences [1 Cor. 15:56; Gal. 3:10-11]. Treating the law, as a system of salvation, and seeking righteousness based on law; the Bible says is impossible. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. [Romans 3:20] This futility of seeking salvation through law keeping is the bondage to the law from which Christ sets us free.
Second, Christians have been set free from sins dominion [John 8:34-36; Rom. 6:14-23]. We have been supernaturally regenerated and made alive to God through union with Christ in His death and risen life [Rom. 6:3-11]. We can now walk in the fullness of the Spirit and not after the flesh.
Third, we have been set free from superstitions; Paul says that Christians are free to enjoy all of Gods good gifts [1 Tim. 4:1-5], provided we do not transgress the moral law of God, nor hinder our own spiritual well being or that of others [1 Cor. 6:12-13; 8:7-13].
Forth, Believers have been set free from condemnation. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. [Romans 8:1] With no condemnation we are free to live life in the Spirit. Note what the Word of God says; Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. [Romans 6:4] Also in [2 Corinthians 5:17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. May I say that whom the Son has set free, is REALLY FREE AND FREE INDEED.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. [Galatians 5:1]
To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. [John 8:31-32, 36]
Salvation in Christ is liberation, and the Christian life is one of liberty. The Bible says in Galatians 5:1 and John 8:31-36 that Christ has set us free. Just what have we been set free from?
First, Christians have been set free from the law as a system of salvation. Being justified by faith in Christ, we are no longer under Gods law, but under His grace [Rom. 3:19; 6:14-15; Gal. 3:23-25]. Our standing with God is assured because we have been accepted and adopted in the Beloved. It does not, nor will it ever, depend on what we do, nor will it ever depend on what we fail to do. Christians live, not by being perfect, but by being forgiven.
The laws work is to arouse, expose, and condemn the sin that permeates our moral lives, making us aware of sins reality and consequences [1 Cor. 15:56; Gal. 3:10-11]. Treating the law, as a system of salvation, and seeking righteousness based on law; the Bible says is impossible. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. [Romans 3:20] This futility of seeking salvation through law keeping is the bondage to the law from which Christ sets us free.
Second, Christians have been set free from sins dominion [John 8:34-36; Rom. 6:14-23]. We have been supernaturally regenerated and made alive to God through union with Christ in His death and risen life [Rom. 6:3-11]. We can now walk in the fullness of the Spirit and not after the flesh.
Third, we have been set free from superstitions; Paul says that Christians are free to enjoy all of Gods good gifts [1 Tim. 4:1-5], provided we do not transgress the moral law of God, nor hinder our own spiritual well being or that of others [1 Cor. 6:12-13; 8:7-13].
Forth, Believers have been set free from condemnation. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. [Romans 8:1] With no condemnation we are free to live life in the Spirit. Note what the Word of God says; Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. [Romans 6:4] Also in [2 Corinthians 5:17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. May I say that whom the Son has set free, is REALLY FREE AND FREE INDEED.
