Freedom in Christ

I. The essence of freedom in Christ.

A. Freedom from the penalty of sin. (Romans 6:23)

Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. (1 Timothy 5:24)

For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation. (Hebrews 2:2-3)

B. Freedom from the power of sin. (Genesis 4:7; Psalms 19:13; Romans 6: 14)

If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. (Genesis 4: 7)

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

For sin shall not have dominion over you for ye are not under the law but under grace.

C. From the presence of sin. (Hebrews 9:28; 1 John 32)

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

II. God's effort in making us free.

A. The truth. (John 8:32)

If ye continue in the word then are ye my disciples indeed, and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.

B. The law of the Spirit. (Romans 8:2)

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

C. The presence of the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:17)

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

D. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 11:10-13)

And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

III. The responsibility of freedom.

A. Respond by faith to the invitation of Jesus Christ. (Luke 4:4)

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.

B. Use your freedom to do what you ought, to serve others.

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13)

C. Stand fast in the liberty of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 5:1)

D. Resist living as a "taker" and live as a "giver."

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.(Matthew 10:8)