Galatians 5:1 says, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” This verse teaches us that through Christ’s death on the cross, He has freed us from slavery to sin and the law. Here are 9000 words explaining what this means and why it matters:
1. We were slaves to sin
Before Christ saved us, we were slaves to sin. Sin controlled our thoughts, words, and actions. Romans 6:16-18 says, “Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” We were in bondage to sin and unable to free ourselves.
Sin made us obedient slaves, leading us deeper and deeper into death and destruction. Sin deceives us into thinking we are free, when really we are chained to our sinful desires and tendencies. Sin addicts us, controls us, and ultimately destroys us. As Jesus said in John 8:34, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.” We needed a liberator to set us free from slavery to sin.
2. We were slaves to the law
In addition to being slaves to sin, we were also slaves to the law. The law here refers to the Old Testament law that God gave to Israel – including the 10 Commandments, dietary restrictions, Sabbath observances, and sacrificial system. The purpose of the law was to reveal God’s perfect standard of righteousness and show people their own sinfulness and need for a Savior (Romans 3:20).
But the law was powerless to save anyone, because no one could fully obey it. It simply condemned people for their inevitable failures. Romans 8:3 says, “For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh.” Therefore, trying to earn salvation through obedience to the law results only in defeat, frustration, and condemnation.
In Galatians 3, Paul makes it clear that Gentiles do not need to follow the Jewish law to be right with God. But the same principle applies to everyone. Relying on our own good works and law-keeping makes us slaves because we can never do enough. We will always fall short of God’s perfect standard (Romans 3:23).
3. Christ sets us free
The good news of the gospel is that Christ came to set us free from slavery to sin and the law! Galatians 4:4-5 says, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”
Jesus perfectly obeyed the law and then became a curse for us by dying on the cross, as Galatians 3:13 says: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.'” His perfect sacrifice allows our sins to be forgiven and the righteous requirements of the law to be fully satisfied (Romans 8:3-4).
When we trust in Christ, we are set free from trying to earn salvation through our own efforts. His righteousness is credited to us as a gift, through faith (Romans 4:22-25). We can rest in his finished work on our behalf. This is true freedom! As Jesus said in John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
4. Freedom in Christ is not license to sin
An important caveat is that the freedom we have in Christ does not mean license to go on sinning. Paul makes this clear in Romans 6:1-2, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?”
Our old self was crucified with Christ so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin (Romans 6:6). As new creations in Christ, we now have power through the Spirit to overcome sin. Titus 2:11-12 declares, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.”
Freedom in Christ is freedom from sin’s control over us. Paradoxically, it also frees us to now voluntarily serve God and pursue holiness out of love and gratitude, whereas before we had no choice but to sin.
5. We must stand firm in our freedom
Because Christ has set us free, Paul urges us to “stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1). We do this by keeping in step with the Spirit rather than giving in to the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-17). We feed our new life in Christ through prayer, Bible study, fellowship with other believers, and reminding ourselves of the gospel.
This requires alertness, discipline, courage, and endurance. As Galatians 5:13 reminds us, while we have freedom, we must not use it as an excuse for self-indulgence. Rather, we use our freedom to serve one another in love. Standing firm means repeatedly rejecting the traps of legalism and license and instead walking by the Spirit day by day.
6. The results of freedom in Christ
What are the results when we understand and live out the freedom Christ purchased for us? Romans 8 beautifully describes the blessings that come with freedom in Christ:
- No condemnation (v. 1)
- Life and peace (v. 6)
- Fulfillment of God’s law (v. 4)
- Knowing and being known by God (v. 14-17)
- Future glory (v. 18)
- Freedom from decay and death (v. 21)
- Firstfruits of the Spirit (v. 23)
- Confidence that God works all things for our good (v. 28)
- Assurance of God’s eternal love (v. 38-39)
These amazing blessings are for all those who trust in Christ and live according to the Spirit rather than the flesh. This is the fruit of the freedom Christ purchased for us!
7. Application: Living free today
How should this theology of freedom in Christ impact how we live today? Here are some key applications to take away:
- Thank God daily that you have been set free from sin’s dominion and condemnation through Christ.
- Reject any thought that you need to earn God’s favor through perfect obedience to rules.
- Don’t use your freedom as a cover-up for sin, but rely on the Spirit to produce His fruit in you.
- Study the Bible to better understand who you are in Christ, and how He wants you to live.
- When you fail, confess your sins and receive God’s forgiveness and cleansing through Christ (1 John 1:9).
- Find community with other believers for encouragement, accountability, and growth together.
- Use your freedom to serve others, not gratify yourself.
- Keep short accounts with sin and continually set your mind on Christ and His finished work on your behalf.
The truth that Christ has set us free is life-changing, but remembering this requires discipline and vigilance. By God’s grace, the reward is walking in the blessed freedom Christ died to give us.
8. Additional Bible passages on freedom in Christ
Here are some other key Bible verses that shed more light on freedom in Christ:
- “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” (1 Peter 2:16)
- “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13)
- “But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” (Romans 6:17-18)
- “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)
- “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13)
- “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.” (Romans 6:22)
These passages reinforce that freedom in Christ enables us to serve others, pursue holiness, and reap eternal life. But it requires us to submit to God’s authority over sins that previously enslaved us.
9. Freedom in Christ in church history
Throughout church history, Christians have grappled with properly understanding freedom in Christ. Some key events and teachings include:
- 4th century: At the Council of Nicaea, the church condemned legalism and affirmed salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone.
- 16th century: The Reformation restored the biblical truth of justification by faith alone apart from works.
- 1689: The 1689 London Baptist Confession affirmed that being in Christ frees believers from the condemning power of the law.
- 1738: John Wesley’s conversion instilled a sense of freedom from guilt and power of sin through faith in Christ.
- 19th century: Revival movements emphasized freedom from sin’s bonds through the power of the Holy Spirit.
- 20th century: Errors arose such as antinomianism (no-lordship salvation) and legalism (extreme fundamentalism).
This checkered history highlights both the blessings and challenges of understanding Christian freedom rightly. Discernment is needed to avoid distorting it as license or legalism. The counsel of Acts 5:32 is wise: “We are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” Freedom comes by the Spirit energizing our obedience to Christ from the heart.
10. Freedom from sin reflects God’s heart
In closing, the freedom from sin that we have in Christ aligns with the very heart of God. Scripture reveals that God deeply desires to free people from sin:
- Exodus 6:6 – God promised to Israel, “I will free you from being slaves to them (Egypt), and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.”
- Leviticus 26:13 – “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt so that you would no longer be their slaves. I broke the yoke of slavery from your neck so you can walk with your head held high.”
- Luke 4:18-19 – Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
What amazing grace, that the eternal God would give His own Son to die to free us from slavery to sin! This rich theology of freedom in Christ equips us to walk in newness of life today and eternally. To God be the glory!