The Question!
Freedom to sin or not to sin. That is the real question of life! Accept Christ and you are set free. Free/freedom—what does this mean? Freedom to do anything? This has always confused me. Today an excellent sermon by our Pastor clarified this issue.
The Choice
Like everything in life, it seems the gift of “freedom” mediated through forgiveness of our sins by Jesus’ precious blood, comes with choices—our God given freewill in action! Do we fall back into sin, into our old way of worldly living and that of unbelievers—or do we choose to live in Christ becoming new creatures? The Bible is clear about these choices. Simply put it is freedom to choose our flesh or to choose to follow Christ. We are not free to make any other choices!
“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:16 (ESV).
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Gal 5:13-14 (ESV).
If we choose to love others. We are in a relationship with Christ. We can (or not) access His strength and power to live righteously. Our passionate goals become obeying Him and modelling our life after His humble earthly example. Do we fail sometimes—of course, for the Bible tells us all have sinned. But in His saving grace, as we repent, He forgives us and we continue our journey in Him.
A casual observer might say:
“Well, this is not freedom! You are either a slave to sin or a slave of God.” True—you are either in bondage to sin or a “servant of righteousness” and devotion to God. As a believer you are pushing away from sin and growing in holiness and freedom in Christ.
What is this “freedom in Christ” then? By studying God’s Word, we can answer this question.
“Now the works of the flesh are evident sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealously, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Gal 6:19-28 (ESV).
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 (ESV)
True freedom is the God given ability to live righteously with anchors for our soul of the fruits of the spirit—and the hope of eternal life in Him. This is true irrespective of our circumstances–freely choosing to obey His commands. Ghastly consequences arise for living as a slave to sin including eternal separation from Him. This explains the evil and suffering we see manifest in this world—man’s fault through exercising his freewill—not God’s fault.
The Unbeliever’s Choice
I wonder why so many unbelievers choose the world—the fleshly choice. The Bible tells us:
Romans 8:7 says that our sinful hearts naturally feel a deep hostility toward God:
“The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so” (NIV).
Ah… this gives me understanding. It explains why some non-believers get so angry when confronted by a discussion of God. If it really did not matter, why do they get so furious? They are naturally hostile to God as Romans 8:7 teaches. The answer is to repent and access the freedom only Christ can bring. Freedom from sin and freedom to choose to obey Him. We grow in the fruits of the spirit— love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control,
So…what is your choice? Freedom in Christ or bondage to sin and all its nasty consequences. I know which one I have chosen.
Catherine Ricks Urbalejo Jan 2026
