Finding true freedom in Christ

As our nation celebrated its independence this past weekend, I began thinking about what Scripture means when it talks about finding freedom in Christ. Believers who live in the United States might have a unique perspective on the term, considering “freedom” is a word often associated with the United States’ ideals, and is a word that is thrown around frequently this time of year.

But freedom in Christ is not circumstantial or exclusive to any location. Christians in the early church were still promised freedom during the days of Roman occupation, when they were persecuted and martyred for their faith. Missionaries traveling to hostile and closed countries are not exempt from the biblical freedom God speaks of. Knowing this, our western ideal of independence might not be as closely tied to God’s vision of freedom as once thought.

We are blessed to live in a nation that values the concept of independence, and we should celebrate that. But a problem arises when we start viewing biblical freedom as contingent on our liberty as citizens of a country. Christians are first and foremost citizens of Heaven, and we should live out our freedom in a way that reflects that.

1 Corinthians 6:12 says, “’I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial.’”

When we consider the historic implications of the Americanized idea of independence, it is essentially the concept that every person is in control of their destiny. They are free to do what they want (within the confines of the law) and live their life the way they please. This definition of freedom is completely contradictory to Scripture. 

As Christians, we should actually find solace in the fact that we are not in ultimate control of our destiny, and we can acknowledge that living our lives the way we want to typically leads to heartbreak, not freedom. As image-bearers of Christ, we should not use our freedom in Christ to live selfishly, or greedily, or with anger in our hearts towards others. Even though those things may be legal, they are not beneficial, and they go against God’s heart. 

True freedom is found when we abide with the Holy Spirit and learn to trust God’s direction for our lives. Freedom is not something granted to us by man, and it is not something that allows us to live the way we think is best. True freedom is given to those who recognize the supremacy of God and choose to walk with Him in relationship.

“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 2:17

Written by Audra Beaty, associate director of digital marketing, Buckner International