by Heidi Williams
Recently, I was having coffee with a dear friend, and her little one had just begun standing up. Her sweet little wobbly legs when she went from the floor to a standing position was so precious.
She was so proud of herself with her little sheepish grin.
No doubt, she was about to take her first steps. Oh, the freedom she was about to experience! She would be able to walk across the floor, and soon would be able to run. The freedom to walk up and down steps was just in her sight, and the things she’d now be able to do—like walking outside, running, chasing her brother.
Freedom!
Everyone seeks freedom. Freedom is the highest virtue, especially in the West; it is sought after by everyone. But freedom in Christ is not the same as political or economic freedom. In fact, some of the most harshly oppressed people in history have had complete freedom in Christ. How can this be, when the Bible tells us that we are slaves…either slaves to sin, or slaves to righteousness? (Romans 6).
To truly enjoy freedom, we must live within the confines of its rules.
Those who are slaves to sin cannot free themselves from it. However, once we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are freed from the penalty and power of sin through the cross, and we become a different kind of slave—a slave to righteousness.
In that slavery, we find complete peace and total freedom in Christ.
The slave of Christ is truly free.
John 8:36 tells us, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Now the Christian can truly say, “Through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2). Additionally, through our bondage to Christ, we have also become sons and heirs of the Most High God (Galatians 4:1-7).
Now we are free to be free.
What boundaries/principles do you see that make freedom sweeter?
What are some of the boundaries within freedom in Christ?