What Christians Often Get Wrong About Freedom

Last updated on: September 20, 2026 at 9:33 am by Tori Carpenter

0 Comments

What Christians Often Get Wrong About Freedom 2026-09-20T09:33:45-07:00 Tori Carpenter

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

As Christians, we have freedom in Christ. He has set us free from the power that sin had over our lives. This is amazing and worth celebrating!

We hear this freedom referenced a lot in church or Christian circles, but what impact does it have on our daily lives? Jesus died on the cross, taking our place, paying the price for our sins, and making a way that we may get to spend eternity with him. That means we’re off the hook, right? Since we’re no longer under the bondage of sin, we’re free to live however we want?

Freedom from Sin

“What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. ” (Romans 6:15-18, ESV)

Usually, when this verse is studied, there is a lot of emphasis on being “free”. While Christ set us free from the power of sin that once took hold of us, there’s more to it that we often miss!

Free or Slave? From one Master to Another

This verse doesn’t say, “you were once slaves; now you’re not.” It says, “You ARE slaves to the one whom you obey, either of sin…or of obedience.”

“were once slaves of sin…”

Before coming to know Christ, we were controlled by sin. It had ahold of our hearts, and we responded to others out of our sinful nature.

“become slaves of righteousness…”

Now, because of Christ, we know how to walk in obedience and live righteously. Not only are we given that chance, we are commanded to do so. The righteousness of Christ should be reflected in everything we do.

Daily Submission to Righteousness

Are we living every day with intentionality about who we are representing?

This verse is a reminder to me that I need to check myself on a regular basis:

“Am I representing Christ well, as his servant?”

“Was that response out of righteousness, or out of my own human selfishness and pride?”

I should be living as a representative Christ. I don’t need to defend myself to others or try to get my own point across. I’m not trying to please them or any earthly master, but Christ alone.

Biblical Perspective

Daily Habits

Relationship with Jesus

Previous Post

June 9, 2026

4 Seasons in Life When I'm Thankful I Married my Best Friend

Who said: "Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Paul Peter John James