Freedom in Christ

Series 1: Living Free in Christ – Week 1

Key Scriptures: Galatians 5:1; John 8:36 (CSB)

Freedom is something we talk about often, but few of us truly live it. We love the idea of being free, yet many believers still walk around weighed down by guilt, fear, and unspoken pressure to be “perfect”.

In Galatians 5:1, Paul reminds us,

“For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

And John 8:36 tells us,

“So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.”

These verses are not symbolic, they are a declaration. Jesus did not just save you. He set you free to live as someone who is deeply loved, forgiven, and chosen.

Understanding Freedom

Freedom in Christ is not a feeling but a position. It means we are no longer a slave to sin, shame, or striving. It means we do not have to perform to be loved.

However, the truth is that many of us still live as though our worth depends on what we do, how “spiritual” we appear, or how perfectly we check the boxes of religion. That, my dear friend, is not freedom. That’s performance.

Paul wrote to believers who had fallen back into the habit of earning God’s approval through rules and rituals. His message to them then is the same now for us; His grace is enough.

What Freedom Looks Like

Living free in Christ means:

• Release — We have been released from the penalty of sin. Romans 8:1 says there’s no condemnation for those in Christ.
• Renewal — Freedom renews our thinking. We stop living from guilt and start walking in growth.
• Relationship — Freedom flourishes in relationship, not religion. Obedience becomes love in motion, not obligation.

The Battle for Freedom

Freedom must be protected. The enemy cannot take our salvation, so he attacks our mindset. He whispers lies like:

• “You’ll never change.”
• “God’s disappointed in you.”
• “You don’t deserve joy.”

But when we anchor our identity in truth, those lies lose their grip. The more we feed our faith with Scripture, the less room we leave for doubt.

Practical Faith in Action

Here are three ways we are going to live out our freedom this week:

1. Identify what keeps us bound.
What thoughts, fears, or habits keep us from fully walking in grace? Write them down and surrender them in prayer.

2. Replace lies with His truth.
Find a verse that speaks the opposite of what the enemy tells you. Memorize it. Speak it out loud.

3. Practice gratitude.
Gratitude shifts our focus from what is broken to what is being healed. We will thank God daily for His ongoing work in our lives.

Reflection & Prayer

Father, thank You for setting me free. Teach me to live in the freedom Jesus purchased for me.
Help me release every fear, guilt, or false belief that keeps me bound.
Let my life reflect the joy of being loved, chosen, and redeemed.
In Jesus’ name, amen.

Challenge of the Week

Each morning this week, ask yourself:

“Am I living like someone Christ has set free or like someone still trying to earn it?”

Stand firm in your freedom and let His grace be your guide.

Connect

Share your reflections from this week by leaving a comment below. And don’t miss Week 2: Spotting Legalism in Daily Life, where we’ll talk about how subtle “rules” can steal our joy and distort our view of grace.