You are Free in Christ!

Enjoy this article entitled, Freedom in Christ, that recently appeared at focusonthefamily.com.

Key Points

·      Freedom in Christ is not the right to do what we want, but the ability to do what we ought.

·      Without Christ, we are slaves to sin, unable to do what is right.

·      Christ’s death on the Cross set us free from the penalty and power of sin

What is freedom in Christ?

In the “land of the free,” we often confuse the true nature of freedom. For many of us, freedom has become synonymous with personal independence — the ability to make our own decisions and choose our own path in life, to do whatever we want, whenever we want. It’s what I call “outside freedom.” But this is not the freedom in Christ that we have been given.

When Jesus revealed himself as the Messiah, He said that He had come to Earth to “proclaim freedom” (Luke 4:18). And on another occasion, He said, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

Jesus was not setting us free to do whatever we wanted; He was freeing us to do what we ought to do. He was liberating us to walk in relationship with God and to be the kind of people He created us to be. This spiritual freedom in Christ is what I call “inside freedom” — the ability to obey God and choose His will for our lives.

And this is the freedom in Christ that sin had long denied us.

Jesus shocked the Pharisees, the spiritual leaders of His day, when He stated, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin” (John 8:34). Jesus was asserting that we are all under the power and control of a natural tendency to sin; we can’t get away from it by ourselves.

Sin brings a penalty that, by ourselves, we can’t escape either. The Bible says, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

How do we find freedom from the penalty and power of sin?

That comes through accepting Jesus Christ’s death on the Cross as the payment for our sin. As we submit to Christ, sin loses its power — Christ’s power takes over. As we choose to trust and follow Him, our sinful habits, thoughts and attitudes lose their control. Guilt disappears, and peace of mind dominates. Right habits become the norm. That’s freedom in Christ — true freedom!

Are you living in this marvelous freedom in Christ? The Apostle Paul declared, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1). If the devil can’t get you to backslide, he at least wants you to live in spiritual bondage. Don’t let him steal your freedom. You are free in Jesus!

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This Sunday, July 5, is our 2026 “Celebration of Freedom”  and we will rejoice in the glorious freedom we have in Jesus Christ at the 9:30am Adult Bible class and the 10:35am worship service. Please invite someone to join you in the building or online for the Live broadcast on either Facebook (Honolulu AG) or our YouTube channel (Honolulu Assembly of God). We Livestream every Sunday to both locations and would love to have you join us!

For those in the area, a BBQ potluck lunch will take place right after the worship service this Sunday and everyone is invited. Grilled teri-burgers and hot dogs plus buns will be provided. Please bring your favorite foods to add to the table: mac salad, fruit, desserts, chips, and other “ono-licious” picnic foods. I look forward to enjoying this wonderful BBQ with you!

The 2026 Hawaii District Men’s Conference takes place July 10-11 at First Assembly of God (Red Hill). Join with men from all across Oahu and neighbor islands to worship the Lord and grow in Him. Boys under 14 years of age are free. All others are $25. Register at hawaiiaog.com. Please let me know if you are interested in attending.

Aloha and Aloha ke Akua!