What Is Freedom in Christ

Welcome to the Finding Freedom series on Divide The Word. Much of this blog and ministry is dedicated to supporting individuals who want to leave unhealthy religious environments and to finding Freedom in Christ.

Because of that, we receive frequent requests about how and when to leave an unhealthy church. What kind of church should you attend after leaving? Are you falling into easy-believism? Does Freedom in Christ equal freedom to sin? Today, we explore what freedom in Christ means for you and how to live out that freedom as a Disciple of Christ.

If you have not read the previous articles in this series, I recommend starting with What Is an Unhealthy Church and When to Leave an Unhealthy Church.

What is Freedom in Christ?

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. ~ Galatians 5:1, ESV

In this episode of Finding Freedom, it’s important to define what freedom in Christ is. For many of those who come from hyper-fundamental and/or high-control religious systems, freedom has often been a dirty word. The prosecution team of this freedom will make claims such as “You are simply looking for freedom to sin.” Or “You just want the easy way out.” They call it easy believism, or sloppy grace.

And yet we know these charges aren’t true very often. Sadly, some do use our freedom in Christ as an excuse to sin. But for many of us who are finding freedom in Christ, we have experienced an increase in conviction under grace. Moreso than we had under legalism. Furthermore, many of us find a heart’s desire to do more for Christ now. Prior, it was a lot of checking the boxes of rules and regulations. (Hebrews 10:24)

However, we know that some who are seeking Freedom in Christ aren’t entirely sure what freedom means. What does it look like? Are we set free from temptation when we accept Christ? Are we free from the consequences of sin regardless of how we live our lives? Does God care what we do every day as Christians? Our hope is that this article will answer those questions. “Who the Son sets free is free indeed.” (John 8:36)

Freedom from Bondage and Separation

We know, as Christians, that we are no longer under the Old Testament Law. (Colossians 2:14-18) Additionally, we are free from the ordinances that led to the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2) And, we know that we’ve been set free from the bondage of sin, fear, legalism, and more. But here is something more, something deeper to being Free in Christ.

In all of God’s efforts, the drive has been towards a relationship of trust and love. Indeed, the word faith ultimately means trust. And we know that Christ was sent to us because God so loved the world. It is in this relationship that the meaning of Freedom in Christ really comes to light. In it, we are set free from the veil of separation that removes us from His presence. We are set free to have a loving relationship built on trust with our creator.

Freedom in Christ means we have Direct Access to the Father

It is essential to consult the Old Testament to gain a deeper understanding of the New Testament. And there we find one important distinction to help us understand one of the purposes of Christ’s death. And that is, you and I would never have had direct access to God the Father. Only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies, the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant, and to the Mercy Seat. There, he would encounter the presence of Yahweh and sprinkle the sacrificial blood on the mercy seat. And in so doing, atone for the sins of the entire nation of Israel.

When Jesus died upon the cross, something incredible took place. Not only did Jesus become the final atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world, but he simultaneously became the High Priest and the Mercy Seat. This miracle brings us all into the Holy of Holies, giving us access to the Father and his holy presence.

You see, God’s holiness demands separation from that which is unholy. This is why Uzzah died when he tried to stop the Ark from tipping over. It wasn’t that Uzzah had done wrong, but it was because he was unholy. (2 Samuel 6:6-7, 1 Chronicles 13:9-10) And this is also why the tabernacle of the Lord, or the Temple, was structured the way it was. And why the miracle of Christ is what it is.

The Tabernacle of the Lord and the Mercy Seat

Firstly, only the Levitical priesthood was allowed into the Tabernacle. Secondly, only blemish-free sacrifices were taken into the tabernacle. And finally, only approved materials could be used to construct the tabernacle. Everything God designed was for the purpose of establishing Holiness.

And every step leading up to the blood being sprinkled upon the Mercy Seat in the Most Holy Place was to ensure the high priest was as Holy as any human could be. For any man to pass through that veil and to enter the Most Holy Place would be immediate death.

In this room, the Most Holy Place, was the Ark of the Covenant, also known as the Mercy Seat. And by the demands of Holiness, it was blocked off from the rest of the temple by a heavy veil of separation. The High Priest alone could go through this curtain and come into direct contact with the presence of the Almighty. And there, the blood of the lamb would be sprinkled upon the mercy seat, and the people’s sins would once again be atoned for, temporarily.

But at the death of Christ, this veil of separation was torn in two, ending the era of segregation between Jew and Gentile, male and female, clean and unclean. (Matthew 27:51, Galatians 3:28) In that ending, a new era began, one in which we now all have access to God the Father. This is why the Scriptures tell us that by the bodily sacrifice of Christ, once and for all, we have been made holy in him. And by being made holy, we can rest in the presence of God the Father without being struck down. (Hebrews 10:10)

Freedom in Christ means we have a Direct Relationship with the Son

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 27:50–51.

Jesus, our Messiah, is uniquely Holy. He is sinless. (Hebrews 4:15) He is our High Priest. (Hebrews 2:17) And with his own blood, he is our Mercy Seat. This means that we are saved by Christ’s righteousness, not our own. We are set free from instant death coming into the Presence of a holy God.

Now, as the Disciples of the Son of God, we can sit before the Mercy Seat, knowing that the atonement for our sins has been given once and for all. (1 John 2:2, Colossians 2:14) We are set free from needing a high priest to make a sacrifice for us. We are set free from needing Scribes and Pharisees to be the wall between us and God’s Word. (Hebrews 1:1, 1 John 2:27)

This Word of Life (John 1:1-14) now dwells among us, and because of that, we have fellowship with God the Father and his Son, directly. (1 John 1:1-3)

Jesus set us free from the sting of death. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57) He set us free from the heavy burden of guilt of being unable to fulfill all the requirements of the Law. (Romans 8:2-4, Matthew 11:25-29) He set us free to approach the mercy seat any time we need His forgiveness. (Hebrews 4:16)

And perhaps most importantly, in our relationship to Christ, you and I are free to become more like him! (1 Corinthians 11:1) Our freedom in Christ means that we can all now admister the Hope of God to those around us. You and I are called to be the salt of the earth. The light set upon a hill. (Matthew 5:14-16) And to be that disciple of Christ, God has give us His Spirit to empower and aid us in fulfilling His will in our lives.

Freedom in Christ means we are empowered to fulfill God’s Will through the Holy Spirit

Therefore, because of this precious freedom we have in Christ, God has given us a great commission of responsibility. Now it is our own time to know the Word. It is our requirement to obey the Word. It is our calling to live out the Life of Christ to those around us. (1 Corinthians 11:1) And yet, if the law was weak in our flesh to do this, how are we to do it today? Through His son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter who will come to aid us!

This is why I like to define the Gospel as a transformative call to action. Paul told us in Romans 12:2 to be transformed in our minds so that we may know the Will of God. In knowing God’s will, you and I can learn what is perfect, and good, and acceptable to Him.

Indeed, Jesus told his disciples that whoever loves him keeps his commandments. And those who do not love him will not keep his commandments. (John 14:21) In 1 John, scripture declares, “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.” This is a serious admonition! Our call to action.

Our Bibles have never taught the lesson that when we accept Jesus Christ as our lord and personal Savior, we have fulfilled all that God asks of us. Being a disciple of Christ wasn’t merely trusting in Christ, but obeying Christ. When Jesus asked Peter thrice, “Do you love me?”, the response of the Son of God was not, “Well done!” Rather, it was, “Then go feed my sheep!” Peter’s call to action.

Being Transformed into Action

It does, however, teach that we are not alone in this fight and that He empowers us to do His will. Jesus transforms us by calling us to new life. We who were dead in our sins and trespasses were made alive by God through Christ. And by making us alive in his immeasurable grace, he summons us to a salvation so great that we are compelled to do the good works he prepared for us. (Ephesians 2:1-10)

And thank God that we know by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, it is He that does the works through us. (John 14:10, Romans 8:11) We would but stumble around as Moses did, afraid of our frailties and weaknesses, until we believe in the promise that the Holy Spirit will empower us. (Exodus 3:7-12) He will give us the strength to be a witness to those around us.

It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we can give thanks always, even during trying times in our lives. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) It is the peace of God (His presence through the Holy Spirit) that empowers us to have peace in all circumstances. (Philippians 4:7, Titus 1:4)

It is all of this and more that allows us to be true disciples of Christ. Obeying his words. Walking in faith. Saved by Grace. Our freedom in Christ, with access to the Father, in relationship to the Son, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, endows us with the armor of God and the power to keep His commandments.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 28:18–20.

You are Free in Christ, Indeed

It is the greatest miracle of all that God redeems a people for Himself. Taking that which was unholy and making it Holy. What a redeemer we have! This is the exact reason Peter wrote the words, “be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities, you will never fall.” (2 Peter 1:10-11)

Peter means that it is our responsibility to live out the Christian life that the Holy Spirit has empowered us to do! The assurance of salvation we have been given comes with a price, just as we were bought with a price. By Christ’s blood I am redeemed, and by His Spirit we are emboldened. Emboldened to what? To be fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ! To make disciples.

I was not set free to self-assurance, or self-edification. You and I were set free to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the world! We have been set free to preach the Gospel of hope. To show the Father’s love. The Son’s sacrifice and the Spirit’s power. To give love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. To feed the hungry, shelter the cold, and provide our own lives as a reasonable sacrifice to God. (Romans 12:1)

Our Freedom in Christ was not provided to give us freedom to sin or to relax the demands of a holy God. Our freedom in Christ is to make us holy, sacrificial, committed, emboldened, empowered, and enthusiastic! We are encouraged to live the life God called us to. (1 Corinthians 7:17)

But now that you have been set free from sin, you are slaves to Christ!

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 2 Pe 1:5–8.