As part of last week’s lesson, we touched on the idea of true freedom in Christ. This felt like a topic the group was interested in discussing further. I think it was Eric who mentioned that freedom in Christ is the freedom to do the right thing which and we’ll develop that idea further today.
That brings us to today’s verse. The opposite of freedom is enslavement and, in John 8:34, Jesus talked about how we can become slaves to sin in:
Jesus replied, ‘very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin’.
His point was that is we can reduce sin, we’ll be able to maintain maximum freedom – not just physical freedom (avoiding imprisonment) but freedom in every sense. Here are some examples:
- Putting God first can free us from anxiety and worry. When we prioritize worldly pursuits, the added stress and anxiety may cause us to be enslaved by physical and emotional sickness.
- Humility can lead to freedom from strained and toxic relationships. Selfish acts may cause the loss of freedom that comes from maintaining many loving, high-trust relationships.
- Eating or drinking too much of the wrong things (gluttony) can cause physical, mental, and emotional enslavements.
- If someone physically harms or kills another person, they will risk imprisonment. Or, even if they get away with it and avoid conviction, they may still be enslaved with guilt and regret.
So, sin always leads to some loss of freedom. But when we strive to do the right thing and live a life inspired by God, sin loses its power over us. Here is an excerpt from a post from Focus on the Family:
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!
Questions:
- Other than physical confinement in prison, what are some of the other freedoms it is possible for us to lose?
- Do you agree that putting God first can reduce anxiety and worry? Why or why not?
- The quote from Focus on the Family says that right habits lead to true freedom in Christ. What are some examples of right habits?
- Looking at the last question from the opposite perspective, what are some wrong habits that can cause us to lose freedoms?
- Are there any specific freedoms you would like to pursue in your life? If so, what are they and what habits will help move you in the right direction?
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