Finding Freedom

     Before I share about Christian Freedom, here are some words from Scripture that speak of freedom.  If you can, commit these to memory as a first step of finding true freedom in Christ.  

What is Christian Freedom?

    What is Christian freedom?  It is easy to explain, but seemingly difficult to see lived out in the lives of many Christians.  Christian freedom is explained best by looking to the New Testament:

• 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."

     Christian freedom is freedom for the 'yoke' of slavery.  This yoke of slavery being referred to is the Old Testament laws and regulations.  Before Christ, people were bound to the law to find redemption.  Christ freed us from that law based righteousness.  It is the practice of many today to keep hold of certain rules and regulations in order to be found righteous.  This practice is known as legalism and is a non-Biblical and appropriate.  Christian freedom is simply the freedom from this performance based righteousness.  

• 1 Corinthians 6:12
  " All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything."

     One thing about freedom is that it comes with a certain level of personal responsibility.  A matter of fact, the reason many ministry leaders and individuals promote and insist on legalistic principles is because it is easier than being free.  Easier?  Which is easier, following a numbered list of things to do written by someone else, of taking the time to learn what needs to be done and then determining how to best accomplish it.   Following someone else's list is simpler, more structured, easier to control.  Christian freedom puts more responsibility into the hands of the individual.  In the above passage, Paul explains a little of this responsibility.  'All things are lawful (permissible, allowable) for me, but not all things are profitable (good for me to do, expedient, helpful)".  Paul is indicating he is not bound by any laws or rules, but he MUST be responsible as a follower of Christ to not do anything that will compromise his, or another's, walk with Christ.  Paul goes on to talk about not 'being mastered' by anything.  What things tend to master people?  Addictions and bad habits have a very real power to (and do) control many individual Christian lives.  Matthew Henry says, 

There is a liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, in which we must stand fast. But surely a Christian would never put himself into the power of any bodily appetite. The body is for the Lord; is to be an instrument of righteousness to holiness, therefore is never to be made an instrument of sin.

  Galatians 5:13 says, "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.".  We are free, but must be responsible with our freedom to not misuse it.  Our freedom MUST be used to love and serve Christ AND our 'neighbor'.  1 Peter 2:16 says, "Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God."

     Click here to read an excellent article submitted to this website concerning the topic of Christian freedom (Article title: 'Freedom in Christianity' by Steve Stuhlreyer).