Freedom (2)

Scriptural Text: Romans 6:22

Romans 6:22 (The Message) 22But now that you’ve found you don’t have to listen to sin tell you what to do, and have discovered the delight of listening to God telling you, what a surprise! A whole, healed, put-together life right now, with more and more of life on the way!

FREEDOM - the absence of slavery; the ability to do and go as one desires. The concept of freedom, both physical and spiritual, is expressed in several different ways in the Bible.

Only God has absolute freedom. He is not controlled from the outside. Human beings, while not totally free, can experience a measure of freedom in different areas of life: social, economic, political, and spiritual.

Years ago when slavery was officially abolished in Jamaica, some of the slaves in the remote areas did not know of their freedom. Years after their release had been announced they still continued to serve their masters, oblivious to the fact that they were legally free. Their owners kept the news from the slaves as long as possible, hoping to extract every ounce of work from their captives. The slaves wouldn’t have had to put up with their drudgery—except for their ignorance of the facts.

Christian author and teacher Dr. Bill Gillham likes to illustrate how our behavior is linked to our position and identity in Christ through a humorous analogy. He describes a scene in which a man is suddenly accosted by a ferocious bear while on a walk through the woods. The man runs into a shack. Though the structure is securely buttressed by thick timbers, he is unaware of that fact, and he thinks the grizzly will burst through at any moment. This man was safe the moment he fled into the shack. However, since he was ignorant of that fact, he trembled in terror. As Dr. Gillham points out, the poor man could have died of a fear-induced heart attack even though he was secure. Dr. Gillham’s premise is: If we do not understand who we are in Christ and our security in Him, we will act accordingly. In Touch, May, 1989

Freedom might be one of the most misunderstood ideas of our time. The key to understanding freedom is found in how we define the term. Freedom isn’t an absolute concept; it is always defined in relationship to something else. For example, there is liberty under God, where people seek to do right in the eyes of the Lord. And there is a sense of liberty apart from God, where “everyone did as they saw fit” (Judges 17:6, tniv).

In the spiritual realm, Jesus explained that when people know the truth, the truth will set them free (John 8:32). He Himself is the Truth (John 14:6). Jesus also declared that if He, the Son of God, set persons free, they would be truly free (John 8:36). Sin enslaves; Christ sets free.

Humanity is enslaved to sin (Jn 8:33–36; See also Ro 6:12–18; Ro 7:7–25; Tt 3:3; 2 Pe 2:19)

John 8:33–36 (ESV) — 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

2 Peter 2:19 (ESV) 19They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.

Because of sin, humanity is in a state of slavery. On account of the atoning work of Jesus Christ, believers can break free from slavery to sin and enter into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Freedom from physical, political, and spiritual oppression. Throughout the Bible one of God’s primary purposes for His people is to free them from physical oppression and hardship and to liberate them from spiritual bondage.

Believers as slaves of God, they are God’s servants Ro 6:22; See also Mt 6:24; Ro 1:1; Col 3:23–24; Jas 1:1; 1 Pe 2:16; 2 Pe 1:1)

Romans 6:22 (ESV) — 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.

1 Peter 2:16 (ESV) 16Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

They have true freedom (Jn 8:31–36; See also Ga 4:21–31)

John 8:31–36 (ESV) — 31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Believers as slaves of righteousness (Ro 6:15–23)

Conclusion: (1) you must Know (6:1-10) 3 facts [Death, buried, resurrected]

(2) You must Reckon (6:11) dead to sin, alive in Christ;

(3) You must Yield (6:12-13a), there two kind

The wrong kind (wickedness)

The right kind (righteousness)