Are you truly

FREE?
Galatians 5:1
 • It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep
Are you truly FREE? standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
(Galatians 5:1, NASB)
 • What is Christian freedom?
Points to Consider • Freedom of Christ: What is this?
• Are you truly free?
What is Christian
freedom?
Are you truly free?
 What is Christian freedom?
• The Bible states emphatically in Galatians 5:1 that believers are free in Christ: “It is for freedom that
Christ has set us free”. Before Jesus died on a cross, God’s people lived under a detailed system of
laws that served as a moral compass to guide their lives. The Law, while powerless to grant salvation
or produce true freedom, nevertheless pointed the way to Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:19–24). Through
His sacrificial death, Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law, setting believers free from the law of sin and
death. God’s laws are now written in our hearts through the Spirit of God, and we are free to follow
and serve Christ in ways that please and glorify Him (Romans 8:2–8). In a nutshell, this is the
definition of Christian freedom.
Freedom in Christ:
What is this?
Are you truly free?
 Freedom in Christ: What is this?
• Believers’ sins are forgiven based on Christ’s perfect sacrifice. Now believers can live in freedom from the
law, and they can live in freedom from the consequences and power of sin.
• Before Christ’s sacrifice, we lived under bondage to the law (Galatians 4:3). We were burdened by demands
we could not keep (Acts 15:10). Christ’s death and resurrection broke our bondage to the law.
• Jesus’ perfect life and holy sacrifice on the cross was the complete fulfillment of the law, and anyone who
trusts in Him for salvation is made right with God.
• Only Christians have true freedom from the law. John 8:36 confirms, “If the Son sets you free, you will be
free indeed.”
 Freedom in Christ: What is this?
• In Christ, we are free from the Mosaic Law’s oppressive system, and we are also free from the penalty
and power of sin. Before Christ, we lived as slaves to sin (John 8:34).
• We sought to gratify our desires and lived for ourselves. We were dead in our sins (Colossians 2:13)
and were destined to face the consequence of our sin, which is death (Romans 6:23).
• Yet, when we trusted in Christ for our salvation, our course in life completely changed. We were
released from the law’s bondage because for freedom Christ has set us free.
 Freedom in Christ: What is this?
• In Christ, we are free from the Law’s oppressive system, we are free from the penalty of sin, and we
are free from the power of sin. Christian freedom is not a license to sin.
• We are free in Christ but not free to live however we want, indulging the flesh: “For you have been
called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your
sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love” (Galatians 5:13, NLT).
Believers aren’t free to sin, but free to live holy lives in Christ.
Are you truly free?
Reflection
 Are we truly free?
• The Christian life is one of death to self and rising to “walk in the newness of life” (Romans 6:4),
and that new life is characterized by thoughts about Him who saved us, not thoughts about the dead
flesh that has been crucified with Christ. When we are continually thinking about ourselves and
indulging the flesh in sins we have been freed from, we are essentially carrying around a corpse, full
of rottenness and death.
 Are we truly free?
• The only way to bury it fully is by the power of the Spirit who is the only source of strength. We
strengthen the new nature by continually feeding on the Word of God, and through prayer we obtain
the power we need to escape the desire to return to the old life of sin. Then we will realize that our
new status as slaves to Christ is the only true freedom, and we will call upon His power to “not let sin
reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires” (Romans 6:12).
 Are you truly FREE?
• “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (II
Corinthians 3:17)
• “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as
servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” (I Peter
2:16-17)
• “Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.” (Psalm 118:5)
• “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
Are you truly
FREE?
Galatians 5:1