This Is What It Means To Be Free

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Romans 8:1).

Freedom is a wonderful thing to have. Anyone who does not enjoy freedom most likely appreciates it more than many of us who are free. However, freedom of the soul, heart, mind and spirit is the greatest freedom of all. If we have Jesus in our lives, we enjoy that freedom. Let us look at what it means to be free in Jesus.

Salvation comes when we believe in and act upon the fact that Jesus is our only way to be saved. The Book of Romans explains this:

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel, For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:14-17).

Being free means that we have heard- and gladly received- the Word of God. There is no hesitancy in us to believe that Jesus died and rose again for our eternal salvation. John 3:18 says it well:” He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Being free means we are no longer bound by our sins. Our past is forgiven and forgotten by God Himself. The following scriptures are sources of rejoicing for those of us who are born again:

I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins (Isaiah 43:25).

He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:10-12).

Do we still have the potential to sin? Of course we do- simply because we have a free will. Satan will tempt us when we are trying to do our best for God. In Romans 7:21, the Apostle Paul said, “I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.” However, we now have the power of God in our lives to resist Satan and defeat the temptations that we face. Romans 6:14 says, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”

Titus 2:11-12 speaks of the role grace has in helping us to live lives of holiness:

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.

Being free means that if the One who has every right to condemn us- doesn’t condemn us- no one else can either. Others may speak judgemental words, but the judgment of men will not stand. Isaiah 50:9 says, “Behold, the Lord God will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? Lo, they shall wax old as a garment: the moth shall eat them up.”

Jesus is the only one who died for our sins; Jesus is the only one worthy to condemn us. Romans 8:34 states it clearly: “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Notice- Jesus is not accusing us before God; Jesus is interceding for us before God.

It is not only what we know, but who we know, that brings us freedom. John 8:32 tells us that we shall know the truth and the truth will make us free. Scripture is plain about the fact that Jesus is the absolute embodiment of truth. Jesus Himself declared: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Know Jesus; know truth. Know Jesus; know freedom.

This is what it means to be free. This is the greatest freedom we can ever enjoy!

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Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.