Experiencing true freedom in Christ begins with understanding what freedom in Christ really means. At its core, freedom in Christ is freedom from sin and its consequences (Romans 6:18, 22). When we place our faith in Jesus, we are set free from slavery to sin and death. Christ forgives our sins and breaks the power that sin once held over us (Romans 6:6-7). As believers, we have been crucified with Christ and no longer live, but Christ lives in us (Galatians 2:20). This means we are free to live and walk in the newness of life in the Spirit, rather than in bondage to the flesh (Romans 8:1-2).
How then can believers experience this freedom in daily life? Here are some key ways:
1. Renew our minds with God’s truth
An important step is renewing our minds according to the truth of God’s Word (Romans 12:2). Before Christ, our minds were clouded by lies and deception. The world told us that sin would fulfill us, but it only led to emptiness and death. As Christians, we now have the mind of Christ and can discard old ways of thinking that lead to bondage (1 Corinthians 2:16). By reading the Bible, we encounter the truth about who God is, who we are in Christ, and the freedom we have to walk in righteousness by the power of the Spirit. Letting biblical truth shape our thoughts breaks deception and paves the way for freedom.
2. Reckon ourselves dead to sin
In addition to renewing our minds, we also need to reckon ourselves dead to sin (Romans 6:11). Even though sin’s power over us is broken, we may still be tempted to go back and let sin reign again. But through Christ we have died to sin, so we are free to walk in newness of life and no longer be slaves to it. Each day we can consciously count ourselves dead to sin’s power and alive to God (Romans 6:22). Sin only has power when we give into its lies and deceptions. But when we walk by faith in what Christ accomplished, sin loses its control.
3. Reject legalism
Legalism is one of the greatest hindrances to experiencing freedom in Christ. Legalism emphasizes rule-keeping and performance over faith and relationship. It swaps grace for self-effort. The Galatian church struggled with legalism, so Paul wrote his letter to combat the false teachers placing people back under the law. He reminded them that Christ set them free from law and performance, so they should stand firm in that freedom and not go back into bondage (Galatians 5:1). Legalism quenches the Spirit and stifles the joy that comes from resting in what Jesus has done.
4. Walk by the Spirit
The way we maintain freedom from sin is by walking by the Spirit. “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).” As believers, we have crucified the flesh and have access to the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. When we yield moment by moment to the Spirit’s leading, we will not give into sinful desires. The Spirit enables us to produce His fruit of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).” Walking in step with the Spirit is essential for overcoming sin and living in true freedom.
5. Pray for freedom from strongholds
Sometimes we can struggle with freedom in certain areas where sin has gained a strong foothold. These are strongholds that have built up through repetitive sin patterns over time. Freedom from these strongholds requires prayer and confession to breakthrough. By humbling ourselves before God, sincerely asking for freedom, and allowing other believers to pray for us, God can reveal the root issues and tear down these strongholds. Breaking free from destructive thought patterns, addictions, and secret sins often requires prayer with other Christians to walk in full freedom.
6. Forgive others
Unforgiveness can be a major block to experiencing freedom. Jesus said, “But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matthew 6:15).” When we harbor bitterness and resentment toward others who have hurt us, it poisons our own hearts. But through forgiving others, we can walk in freedom from this bitterness that once chained us. As Colossians 3:13 says, “Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Forgiving others reflects the forgiveness we’ve received in Christ.
7. Confess and repent of sin
As believers we still struggle with sin and our freedom can feel elusive at times. But 1 John 1:9 gives us this promise: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Coming to God humbly in repentance and confessing our sins restores our connection with God. Repentance realigns us to righteousness, allowing the joy of our freedom to return. Consistently confessing sins kills the power of secret shame and enables us to walk freely with nothing to hide.
8. Take responsibility for your own walk
While other believers can encourage us, ultimately we are responsible for working out our freedom in Christ. Paul told Timothy to “keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching (1 Timothy 4:16)”. No one else can do the hard work of renewing our minds, praying through strongholds, and crucifying the flesh. We must take responsibility for stewarding our freedom rather than passively waiting for freedom to overtake us. As Galatians 5:13 says, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh.” Staying vigilant against temptation is key.
9. Remember your identity in Christ
Struggles with sin can distort our sense of identity in Christ. When we mess up it’s easy to forget who we are as new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). But Romans 8:37 declares, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Our security comes from what Jesus did, not our performance. Clinging to our identity in Christ – that we are fully loved, forgiven, and accepted – guards our freedom. We flee condemnation and confidently walk in freedom knowing who we are in Him.
10. Find freedom through community
God designed believers to walk together in community for a reason. When we isolate ourselves, temptation and deception flourishes. But when we walk in biblical community, we receive encouragement, prayer, counsel, and accountability to stay on the path of freedom. The church is called to “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).” The body of Christ plays a vital role in helping individuals find freedom through applying the truth of the gospel together.
The freedom Christ purchased for us is incredibly liberating, yet also requires vigilance as we walk out this freedom daily by the power of the Spirit. There is grace when we fail, and joy when we live in the fullness of what Jesus did for us. May we reconsider what Christ accomplished through his death and resurrection and walk confidently in the freedom only He provides.