Now you (Jesus’ followers) are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. (Romans 6:22 NLT)
This post builds on Freedom in Christ & Juneteenth (Part 1)
Nancy Set Free
Before the U. S. Civil War, Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) went to a slave auction in Illinois to observe the cruelty of slavery, and he decided to bid on an African-American woman named Nancy. She stared at Lincoln while he bid and figured that he was just another white man, planning to buy her and abuse her.
Lincoln won the auction and walked away with Nancy as his “property.” He said, “Young lady, you are free.” Nancy was doubtful and asked, “What does that mean?” Lincoln replied, “It means you are liberated from oppression.” Nancy asked, “Can I say whatever I want?… Be what I want?… Go wherever I want to?” Lincoln responded, “Yes, you can go, be, and speak as you please.” Nancy smiled, grateful tears streaming down her face. “Then,” she decided, “I will go with you.” 1
That’s God’s good news, beloved! In Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, He has already broken sin’s power, released us from bondage, cut the chains to our old way of life, and given us freedom to live the abundant life He provides. We have been bought (rescued and redeemed) at a high cost (Christ’s own body and blood) by a new Master. He has set us free to serve Him, not our selfish selves.
Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. You were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which belong to God. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Comprehensive Freedom
In the last post, I said that Jesus brings His followers into a comprehensive freedom that transforms every area of life. He shatters the chains of guilt, shame, and fear, and empowers us to live holy and happy lives, in fellowship with God (Father, Son, and Spirit). Jesus gives us:
| Freedom from sin’s penalty | Justification (immediate, when we are first saved) |
| Freedom from sin’s power and practice | Sanctification (gradual and progressive throughout this life) |
| Freedom from sin’s presence | Glorification (perfect and final, when Christ returns) |
Let’s look at the first of those.
Freedom from Sin’s Penalty
The Apostle Paul’s New Testament letter to the Galatians has been called “the Magna Carta of Christian liberty.” He writes this forceful letter to refute a popular false teaching in the First Century, the idea of salvation by human effort.2 That deadly error is still popular now. The Bible’s good news is that Christ’s believers are forgiven and accepted by God as righteous because of Jesus’ doing, dying, and rising. It’s not because of anything we do. Because of Christ’s work alone, our sins are remitted (paid off) as if they were never committed!
Paul taught that the Old Testament Law was our tutor (schoolmaster, guardian) to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus alone.3 The Law shows us God’s high expectations. Then, the Holy Spirit uses His Holy Scriptures to show us our sin and bring us to Christ the Savior.
When we are tempted to doubt or despair because of our spiritual struggles and failures, we pray:
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love. According to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. (Psalm 51:1-2)
When we confess our brokenness, foolishness, and sinfulness to Him, the Lord restores us to Himself.
Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain. He washed me white as snow.4
God Saves by Grace
Old Testament salvation was always by God’s grace through faith in His Messiah, not by human works. God’s Law was never a checklist to earn eternal life. We would never be approved that way! Instead, the Law was a guide to holy living for those who were already depending on God. Old Testament believers were saved by trusting in the Christ of prophecy. Since Jesus’ first coming, believers are saved by trusting in the Christ of history. God’s long-promised Messiah has already come!
One of Jesus’ last words (John 19:30) was the single Greek word tetelestai, translated as “It is finished.” Tetelestai was often written on ancient business documents to show a debt had been completely “paid in full.” Scripture says, “The wages of sin is death,” meaning eternal separation from God.5 And Jesus paid the eternal penalty for His believers’ wrongs. Christ’s victory cry signals that His work of saving us was perfect, leaving nothing for us to add to be pardoned and accepted by God.
Another Woman Finds Freedom
Charlotte Elliott (1789–1871) was an English poet. She edited The Christian Remembrancer Pocket Book and The Invalid’s Hymnbook. Charlotte was highly educated, with a great passion for music and art. A severe sickness in 1821 made her feel her need for Christ the Savior. Dr. Cesar Malan visited her father’s home and asked Charlotte if she was at peace with God. Charlotte resented the question. A few days later, she visited Malan, saying she wanted to cleanse her life before becoming a Christian. Malan answered, “Come just as you are,” and she committed her life to Christ that day.
Beloved, we can’t cleanse our hearts, minds, and lives ourselves. Thank God He says:
You will become pure, as if I splash you with clean water. I will remove everything that makes you unclean. I will take away the idols that you worship. (Ezekiel 36:25)
Later, when Charlotte doubted her salvation, she focused on her Lord, His power, His promise, not on her emotions. She reminded herself of Jesus’ pardon, peace, inheritance in heaven, and the Eternal Rock beneath her feet. She was accepted by God in Christ, her Beloved Savior, “Just as I am. “6 That’s true freedom!
Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, who get honest with God. (Psalm 32:1-2)
Billy Graham came to faith in Christ in 1934 in a revival meeting and heard Elliot’s song, “Just as I Am.” Graham used this song in all his evangelistic crusades.
Our Hymn and Prayer
We can use Elliott’s famous hymn as our prayer, whether we are turning to Christ for the first time or turning back to Him repeatedly after we stumble.
Just as I am, without one plea but that Your blood was shed for me,
And that You call me to come to You, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot,
To You, whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind. Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yes, all I need, in You to find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.Just as I am! You will receive, will welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve.
Because Your promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.Just as I am! Your love unknown has broken every barrier down.
Now, to be Yours, yes, Yours alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
God gives everlasting freedom to every person who trusts Jesus and lives by faith in Him. The freedom Christ bought for us changes everything. Now we can receive ongoing help and enjoy true fellowship with our Risen Lord, day after day. That is God’s best good news worth celebrating and sharing!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I thank You that You show tender mercy from generation to generation to all who fear (revere and respect) You. Like the tax collector, I say, “God, have pity on me, a sinner!” Like the blind man, I call out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Like the prodigal, I say, “Father, I have sinned against You. I am no longer worthy to be called Your child.” Like the repenting thief on the cross, I say, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Then the Lord answered, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” 7
As You taught us, we pray:
Forgive us our sins, as we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.8
Notes (various Bible translations): 1 Story heard from Steve Brown, Preach Today tape #58. Brown says that the story may be undocumented. 2 In the New Testament, the Judaizers were a group of Jewish Christians who demanded that Gentile Christians must follow the Mosaic Law and be circumcised and observe certain rites and rituals to be accepted by God as Father. Paul’s letter to the Galatians refutes this false teaching. Near 50 AD, the apostles and elders gathered in Jerusalem and adopted Paul’s view. The rest of the New Testament teaches the same. 3 Gal 3:23-29 and more. 4 From “I Hear the Savior Say,” hymn by Elvina M. Hall (1865). 5 See Gen 2:15-17, 3:17-19; Rom 5:12-21, 6:23; James 1:13-15. 6 See Dictionary of Hymnology: Origin and History of Christian Hymns and Hymnwriters by John Julian, original edition 1892, reprinted in 2019. 7 Adapted from Luke 1:50,78, 15:18-19, 18:13,38, 23:42-43. 8 Adapted from The Lord’s Prayer in Matt 6:9-14; Luke 11:1-4.