Freedom in Christ: Avoiding Spiritual Slavery

Understanding the concept of freedom in Christ and avoiding spiritual slavery.

Recognizing the difference between being free in Christ and abusing one's freedom.

The importance of personal responsibility in using one's freedom in Christ.

The provision of God's mercy for occasional slips into sin.

Music Music Since I know you all like a title for the message that we are going to cover today, this one is called, Can I Be Guilty of Abusing My Freedom in Christ? We will open this word in Romans chapter 6, beginning in verse 13. The word declares, Do not continue offering or yielding your bodily members and faculties to sin as instruments, tools of wickedness, But offer and yield yourselves to God, as though you have been raised from the dead to perpetual life, your bodily members and faculties to God, and presenting them as instruments of righteousness. Verse 14. For sin shall not any longer exert dominion over you, since now you are not under law as slaves, but under grace as subjects of God's favor and mercy. What then are we to conclude? Shall we sin because we live not under law but under God's favor and mercy? Certainly not. Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness, right doing, and right standing with God. Verse 17. But thank God, though you once were slaves of sin, you have now become obedient with all of your heart to the standard of teaching in which you were instructed and to which you were committed. And having been set free, you have become the servants of righteousness, of conformity to the divine will in thought, purpose, and action. Verse 19 I am speaking in familiar human terms because of your natural limitations. for as you yield your bodily members and faculties as servants to impurity and ever-increasing lawlessness so now your bodily members and faculties once and for all as servants to righteousness right being and doing which leads to sanctification and verse 20 for when you were slaves of sin you were freed in regards to righteousness Hallelujah. Now, in clarifying this last verse, Paul was reminding his readers that they had chosen the slavery to sin option in the past. They did not gain any moral righteousness. They were free of it. In other words, they did not become more righteous in their conduct. Paul was declaring their past lives was stated in verse 17 when he said, But thank God, though you were once slaves of sin, you have become obedient with all your heart to the standard of teaching in which you were instructed and to which you were committed. Did you know, as a believer in Jesus Christ, you have personal responsibility in the use of your freedom in Christ? This is an important subject in our journey of life in Jesus Christ. We have a vigilant responsibility in wise and careful use of our liberty or freedom in Christ. We have an obligation to God, but we also have the vigilant responsibility in the use of our liberty in Christ. When Jesus saves us, he frees us from the bondage of sin. An unredeemed man is a slave to sin, as we saw in verses 17 and 20. Every time a person exercises his or her choice, it is to sin because he is a sinner by nature. And we see this expounded upon in Ephesians chapter 2, verses 2 and 3, in which at one time you walked habitually, you were following the course and fashion of this world, were under the sway of the tendency of this present age, following the prince of the power of the air. You are obedient to and under the control of the demon spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience, the careless and rebellious and unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God. Verse 3. indignation like the rest of mankind. You see, a person like this is under the delusion that he or she is free, but in reality he is among the servants of corruption and destruction. And this is really an abuse of one who thinks that they are free in Christ to do whatever they wish and still think they will gain entrance into the eternal city. The church is full of these kinds of people who believe that they're free, but they are really prisoners or slaves of Satan the devil. If they sit under the teachings of those who tickle their ears with empty words and perverted gospel, with man-invented doctrines, then they are slaves of Satan and they are not free in Jesus Christ, who is the only one who can set anybody free because he paid the price and the cross to liberate anyone from the bondage of sin and death. In 2 Peter 2, verse 19, the word declares, They promise them liberty, and when they themselves are slaves of depravity and defilement, for by whatever anyone is made inferior or worse or is overcome, to that person or thing he is enslaved. understand please the truly redeemed person in christ does not on the other hand automatically or habitually choose to sin they hate the fact that when they have done so their consciences are troubled until they repent before the lord and seek his forgiveness in fact in first john chapter 3 verse 6, the word declares, no one who abides in him, who lives and remains in communion with and in obedience to him, deliberately and knowingly and habitually commits practices sin, no one who habitually sins has either seen or known him, recognized, perceived, or understood him, or has had an experiential acquaintance with him. As was stated before, a Christian may fall into sin occasionally, but such occurrences are not God's will for us. Beloved John the Apostle writes in 1 John 2, verse 1, My little children, I write you these things so that you may not violate God's law and sin. But if anyone should sin, we have an advocate, one who will intercede for us with the Father. It is Jesus Christ, the all-righteous, upright, just, who conforms to the Father's will in every purpose, thought, and action. Hallelujah. John continues to explain in this verse, If any man sins, meaning if he falls into a single act of sin, we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous What mercy dear listener What mercy Scripture tells us that God mercies are new every morning And this is very comforting Because the believer may be influenced by his old nature or the sinful environment in which he lives or his inadequate lack of study and understanding God's word, God has made provision for anyone who falls into occasional, did you hear that word, occasional slip or lapse into sin. This is not used as an excuse to sin and to think God knows my heart sort of thing. This reminds me of a testimony that happened with a pastor a number of years ago. The pastor preached on sin and one of his church officers afterwards came into his study to see him and he said to the pastor, Mr. Howard, we and the other officials and I I want you to talk as plainly about sin as you do. Sin because if our boys and girls hear you talking so much about sin, they will more easily become sinners. Call it a mistake, if you will, but do not speak so plainly about sin. And then the pastor took down a small bottle and showed it to the church official. It was a bottle of strychnine, and it was marked poison. and he said, I see what you want me to do. You want me to change the label. Suppose I peel this label off that says poison on it and put a mild label on it such as essence of pure peppermint. And don't you see what happens? The milder you make the label, the more dangerous you make your poison. Powerful. Dear listener, you need to understand as true believers in Jesus Christ, the only way of life in Christ is a voluntary decision to become a bond servant of Christ out of pure love for him and the greatest selfless sacrifice he made for you personally. Apostle Paul said this of himself when he wrote to the church at Rome in Romans chapter 1 verse 1. The word declares, Also in Philippians 1, verse 1, where Paul was speaking to the brothers at Philippi, Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Christ Jesus the Messiah, to all the saints, God's consecrated people in Jesus Christ who are at Philippi with the bishops and overseers and deacons and assistants. And also in Jude, one declares a servant of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. And a brother of James writes this letter to those who are called, chosen, dearly loved by God, Father, and separated, set apart, and kept for Jesus Christ. What we see in these scriptures, that servant or bond servant in the Greek is pronounced doulos. And that means a voluntary slave and means as well in a qualified sense to be in subjection, to be brought into bondage and given to become a servant. So the redeemed person becomes a voluntary, intentional, on purpose, indebted slave to Jesus Christ. Hallelujah. But know as well, please, at the same time, the believer is still free to choose good or evil, realizing that there are God-ordained consequences which will follow each decision. In the New Testament, to be freed from slavery was called adoption or becoming a son. We see this in Galatians chapter 4 in verses 4 through 7. We read, but when the proper time had fully come, God sent his son, born of a woman, born subject to the regulations of the law, to purchase the freedom of, to ransom, redeem, and atone for those who were subject to the law, that we might be adopted and have sonship conferred upon us and be recognized as God's son. Verse 6 And because you really are his sons, God has sent the Holy Spirit of his son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father, Father. Therefore, you are no longer a slave, a bondservant, but a son. And if a son then it follows that you are an heir by the aid of God through Jesus Christ. So please allow me to explain what seems like a contradiction of scripture. We read that Paul called himself a bondservant of Christ. And in our last scripture, he says, since receiving the Holy Spirit in our hearts, we are no longer a bondservant, but a son of God through Christ. Well, Paul, a bondservant of Christ, characterized himself more practically or figuratively as a steward of God's grace or favor to the Gentiles. And we need to understand as well that Paul's role was unique in many ways compared to the work of a true believer and their role in serving the Lord. But all Christians share in this similar stewardship or role as a servant in Jesus Christ. Because until Jesus returns, there is always a big work to do in winning souls to the kingdom of God. And this is an eternal work. And the Bible says its workers are few. Dear Church, each one of us should use whatever gift the Lord has given us to serve others as we faithfully administer God's grace in various forms and ways. The primary goal in our serving the Lord is to bring him glory. This call to be Christ's servant is absolute. It demands complete surrender. even to the point of death. In John 12, verse 26, the Lord declares, Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am my servant will also be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. Jesus Christ himself has set the standard for us by showing his followers what the servant's lifestyle is like. By becoming God in the flesh, the Lord took on the form of a bondservant. In Philippians chapter 2, beginning in verse 7. But he stripped himself of all privileges and rightful dignity, so as to assume the guise of a servant, a slave, in that he became like men and was born of a human being. And after he appeared in human form, He abased and humbled himself still further and carried his obedience to the extreme of death and even death upon the cross. Jesus performed the task of a household slave when he washed the disciples' feet and urged them to follow his example. You call me teacher and Lord and rightfully so, and that's what I am. Now that I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you should also wash one another's feet. John 13, verses 13 and 14. A Christian, in like manner, becomes a willing slave to Jesus Christ instead of an unwilling one to sin. There are guidelines for the believer to help make proper choices in their conduct so they do not abuse their freedom in Christ. These are found in Romans chapter 14. Let's look at those scriptures. Romans chapter 14 beginning in verse 1 Accept him whose faith is weak without passing judgment or disputable matters One man faith allows him to eat everything but another man whose faith is weak eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else's servant. To his own master he stands or falls, and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. Verse 5. One man considers one day more sacred than another. Another man considers every day alike. Each one of us should fully convince in his own mind. Verse 6. He who regards one day as special does it to the Lord. He who eats meat eats to the Lord, For he gives thanks to God, and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives unto himself alone, and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Verse 9. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life, so that he might be the Lord of both the living and the dead. You know then why you do not judge your brother or why you look down upon your brother? For we will all stand before the Lord's judgment seat. It is written, as surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before me and every tongue will confess to God. So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. You see, there are some basic considerations we must ask ourselves. Does each of my actions please God and advance his kingdom? Or help others recognize Jesus Christ in the believer so that they might come also to the faith? The believer must also consider those among the brethren who are weak. His example, while not destructive in his own life, may be disastrous in theirs. For instance, a weaker brother may become a drunkard if he sees another believer drinking alcoholic beverages. The question to ask is not whether it is sinful for me to do such a thing, but how such an action will influence my weaker brother in Christ. Paul also warns us against being too quick to label those who differ from us as wrong and ourselves as always right. God's laws are now written in our hearts through the Spirit of God, and we are free to follow and serve Jesus in ways that please and glorify him. In Romans chapter 8 and verse 2, the word declares, There is therefore now no condemnation to you who are in Christ, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ has made me free from the law of sin and death. for what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh on account of sin. He condemned sin in the flesh that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the spirit. Verse 5, for those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. What we have just read is saying in a nutshell that this is the definition of Christian freedom. You see, an important aspect of Christian freedom is our responsibility not to return to living under the law, because living under the law is living under the bondage of sin. Apostle Paul compared this to slavery when he declared, Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery. This is saying each Christian has personal responsibility in guarding their hearts against known sin. Continuing to live under the law after salvation is merely a legalistic form of religion. We cannot earn righteousness through the law. Rather, the law's purpose was to define our sin and show us our need of a savior. Christian freedom involves living not under the burdensome obligations of the law, but under God's grace. Paul tells us in Romans chapter 6 verse 14, for sin no longer shall be your master because you are not under the law, but under grace. In Christ, we are free from the law's oppressive system. We are free from the penalty of death and we are free from the power of sin. Hallelujah. However, we do need to understand as well, Christian freedom is not a license to sin. We are free in Christ, but not free to live however we want, indulging in the flesh. Galatians 5.13 For you, brethren, were indeed called to freedom. Only do not let your freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse for selfishness, but through love you should serve one another. Believers aren't free to sin. Rather, they are free to live holy lives in Christ. True freedom means willingness to become a slave of Jesus Christ. And this happens, dear ones, with relationship with him. In Colossians 2, verse 16, the word declares, Let no one disqualify you. Therefore, let no one sit in judgment of you on matters of food and drink, or with regard to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath. Such things are only the shadow of things that have come, and they have only symbolic value. But the reality, the substance, the solid fact of what is foreshadowed, the body of it, belongs to Christ. So you see, true believers in Jesus Christ know true freedom. If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. Hallelujah. This last scripture gives us a figurative analogy of Jesus Christ to liken to one who is a slave owner here. Only Jesus has the authority to free slaves, in this case its spiritual slaves, from their bondage to sin and its consequences. Real freedom in Christ consists of liberty from sin's enslavement to do what we should do. it does not mean that we may do just anything that we please we are now free to do what pleases god which we could not do before when we truly came to christ and became his child when we do what pleases god we discover also it pleases us as well and we literally experience the wonderful joy and peace that comes with it too. Hope for real freedom depends on our relationship and fellowship with Jesus Christ, our Savior, through the precious Holy Spirit who becomes our teacher, our guide, and our comforter. But now, someone may ask, what does Christian freedom look like in a practical sense? what we are free to do and what we cannot do, what we can watch on TV or on other devices of technology what we can eat and drink and what is appropriate to wear to the beach or appropriate to wear to church Is what we wear modest looking and in accordance with biblical standards? What about smoking and drinking? Are there limits to Christian freedoms? Everything that we do, dear ones, should be to the glory of God. Let us always remember that. In 1 Corinthians 10, beginning in verse 23, the precious word tells us, All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Verse 24, Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being. Verse 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market asking no questions for consciousness sake for the earth is the Lord in all of its fullness Verse 27 If any of those who do not believe invite you to dinner and you desire to go eat whatever is set before you asking no question for consciousness sake But if anyone says to you this was offered to idols Do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you and for consciousness sake. For the earth is the Lord's and all of its fullness. Verse 29. Conscious, I say, not your own, but that of another. For why is my liberty judged by another man's conscience? Verse 30. But if I partake with thanks, why am I evilly spoken of for the food over which I give thanks? Verse 31 Therefore whether you eat or drink or whatever you do do all for the glory of God give no offense either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God Verse 33 Just as I also please all men in all things not seeking my own profit but the profit of many that they may be saved By these verses in 1 Corinthians 10 Apostle Paul gives us a practical illustration of our Christian freedoms when he says, everything is lawful. Other translations use the word permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible or lawful, but not everything is constructive. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being. And this is saying that no one should seek his own good, but the good of others. sadly there are those who proof text this scripture and use it to come as close to the edge of whatever they feel is right or good for them across the board in relation to all aspects of their Christian living in looking at these scriptures in the context in which Paul was applying them we see in writing to the church at Corinth Paul mentions members who were attending meals in pagan temples just as they had done before receiving Christ. They felt free to continue participating because they thought these festivals were merely a normal part of a social culture. They didn't see their action as pagan worship. Paul pointed out several warnings reminding the Corinthians of Israel's dangerous flirtation with idolatry in the Old Testament. He handled the practical concern of eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols. Everything is permissible or lawful. The Corinthians were saying, true, Paul says, Christians do have a great deal of freedom in Christ. However, not everything is beneficial or constructive. Dear listener, we need to understand that our freedoms in Christ must be balanced by a desire to build up and benefit others. When deciding how to exercise our Christian freedom, we ought to seek the good of others before our own good. In talking about these particular verses in whatever is permissible or lawful for a Christian believer, this applies to buying and eating meats, whether served in someone's home or whether sacrificed to an idol, however it is served. Abusing our Christian freedoms comes as well in accordance to the way we live our everyday lives. And Paul explains this in Galatians chapter 5, beginning in verse 13. For you, brethren, have been called to liberty. Only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love and serving one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even this. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, beware, lest you be consumed by one another. You see, we are commanded as true believers to walk in the Spirit. In verse 16, the scripture tells us, I say, walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. And these are contrary to one another. so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murder, drunkenness, revelries, and the like, of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in past time that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Verse 22, but the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against these there is no law, and those who are in Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desire. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Well, Paul emphasized that unity and love in the body of Christ are more important than anyone's personal convictions or Christian liberty. Instead, we must make up our minds not to put a stumbling block or an obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. We have areas of our Christian freedoms covered in the scripture and how we are to act and to speak and to dress and what we are to lay our eyes on and let our ears hear. The holy and profane are clearly laid out for us in scripture as believers in Jesus Christ. Essentially, Paul's message to the New Testament believers and to us today is this. Even if we believe we are right and have Christian freedom in areas of our lives, if our actions will cause another brother or sister to stumble in his or her faith, we are to refrain out of love and mostly out of our love to Jesus Christ. And if we follow the rules and the mandates of Holy Scripture, dear listener, we will please our heavenly father and also what has been laid out in how we can avoid abusing our freedoms in christ we are sure to inherit the promise of eternal life praise be to our lord and king and our master jesus christ amen Thank you.

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