essay on freedom in christ

What Does Freedom Look Like in the Christian Life?

I have good news for you today. If you are in Christ, he has set you free. While that statement may resonate in some people’s hearts, many are not always aware of what this freedom looks like. Sometimes the laws of the land and the happenings in society blind us to the truth of what freedom looks like in the Christian life. For this reason, I want to examine the idea of freedom, not just so you will know what it is, but so that you will walk in it.

What Have You Been Set Free From?

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death” ( Romans 8:1-2 ).

Let me explain what you have been set free from. In short, you have been set free from condemnation and the law of sin and death. To make sure you understand what that means, let me clarify it for you in a simple statement. You are guilty of sin under the law, and you deserve to die as punishment for that sin. Even simpler: you sin, you die.

From the beginning, sin and death were always connected. Remember what God told Adam: the day you eat of that fruit, you will die. Though the law was not given at this time, that in essence sums up the law. When you sin, the penalty rightfully deserved for your sin is death. This death is an eternal separation from God.

Here is where your freedom in Christ comes in. First, you are free because you no longer stand condemned under the law. You have been tried and found not guilty, because you have put your faith in Christ. He has fulfilled all the requirements of the law on your behalf. Also, in law, there is something called double jeopardy. This means you cannot be prosecuted twice for the same crime. Because you are in Christ, and Christ has dealt with your sin, he will not retry you for sins that have already been forgiven. You have no more condemnation.

You are also free from the law of sin and death, which means you no longer have to live up to the standards of the law. The problem we had was not the law, but our ability to keep it. Yet when you received Christ’s salvation, he released you from having to live up to the standards required under the law to obtain righteousness. Your righteousness is because of Christ, and you live by the power of the Holy Spirit. Once you understand that, you are on your way to walking in freedom.

But what should result from your freedom in Christ?

Freedom in the Christian Life Should Make You More Gracious, not Less

In order to truly appreciate freedom, sometimes it helps to remember what bondage is. So often in our Christian walk, we forget we were slaves to sin. For some, the further removed you are from your sinful life before Christ, the less grace you have for those trapped in sin. Even more so for fellow believers who may be struggling. It is easy to forget what you were before Christ and when you do, it lends itself to becoming less gracious and more self-righteous.

When I was younger, I was very dogmatic. There were certain aspects of walking with Jesus that felt came easy to me. So much so that I could not empathize with or appreciate the struggle of my fellow believers. This made me almost heartless towards other Christians because I could not understand what they were going through. This all changed when I wrestled with my own struggle. Thankfully, I overcame it and that made me more gracious, not less.

This is what your freedom in Christ should do. It should allow you to view people through the lens of the grace that you yourself have received, and walk with them through the challenges they may experience in this life.

Freedom in the Christian Life Releases You from Your Past

One of the biggest hurdles you will ever face in your Christian life is dealing with your past. I get so many emails from people who are living with regret over their past. Listen, I can totally understand that because I have some regrets of my own. However, here is something you need to know about your past. You don’t have to lament over it because God doesn’t.

When God forgave you, he gave you a clean slate. This means whatever existed before no longer exists in his eyes now. When he sees you, he doesn’t see your past; he sees your present and your future. God will never remind you of sins you have repented of. Satan will, but God won’t. Since you have been forgiven and you have a clean slate, then stop living in your past sins and mistakes. All that does is keep you trapped in yesterday and it prevents you from moving forward into the life God has planned for you.

“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” ( Hebrews 9:14 ).

Freedom in the Christian Life Empowers You in the Present

Freedom in the Christian life is not a distant or future-oriented concept but a transformative reality that empowers you right now. This is a practical truth that should affect your life every day.

Since you have encountered the saving grace of Jesus Christ, you are free from the bondage of sin, guilt, and shame. This liberation enables you to embrace the abundant life that God intends for you, right here and now. The freedom you now have in Christ empowers you to live with purpose, hope , and confidence.

To key to really living this life of freedom is the Holy Spirit in you. He is the one who gives you the ability to walk in this freedom and not return to the bondage you used to be in. The Holy Spirit gives you the strength to overcome the challenges and struggles you face. He helps you to resist temptation, to break free from destructive habits, and to pursue righteousness and holiness. Without his help, we cannot enjoy freedom in Christ because we would be left to our own strength, and that did not work out so well the first time. Trust me, it won’t work out so well now either.

Because you are free in Christ, that means there is nothing external that can hinder you from living out the purpose God has called you to. If you find you are struggling to do that, then it means you need to tap into more of the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in you. You have been washed in the blood of Jesus. Your conscience has been cleansed. You have been set free and empowered by the Holy Spirit. This means there is nothing that can stop you from being the person God has created you to be.

Embrace Your Freedom

When you get on an airplane, you must buckle your seatbelt during takeoff. However, after a certain amount of time, the pilot will make the announcement that he has turned off the seatbelt sign and you are free to move about the cabin. This is what your freedom in Christ looks like. The seatbelts of guilt, shame, condemnation and death have been turned off and you are free to be who God created you to be.

There is only one thing left to do. You must embrace this freedom. For some people, it is uncomfortable because you must let go of some things. But you will discover when you do, God has an incredible journey waiting for you in this life and he has turned off the seatbelt sign. I encourage you to get up and move freely in your life in Christ. Set your heart to follow the plan God has for you. Know that in Christ, you have been set free and your freedom allows you to walk into the purpose God has for your life.

So what are you waiting for? You are free now. Go live like it.

Photo credit: Pexels/Julian Jagtenberg

How to go to Heaven

How to get right with god.

What is Christian freedom?

For further study, related articles, subscribe to the, question of the week.

Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox!

4 Things the Bible Says About Freedom

By BGEA Admin • June 29, 2020 • Topics: Holidays , Lifestyle

As the United States of America celebrates Independence Day on July 4, it’s worth noting the nation was founded upon the idea that God created human beings to be free. The Declaration of Independence states that people “are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

But what is “liberty,” exactly? Is freedom based upon the country where you live, or can it have a deeper meaning?

Here are some key ideas from the Bible about freedom—including how to find true freedom in your life.

1. People have been searching for it for thousands of years.

The quest for freedom is a theme found throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Just three chapters into the story of God’s creation, humanity gave up its freedom by choosing to rebel against God. From that time forward, the perfect freedom God created in the Garden of Eden was gone, and the long-term effects were both physical and spiritual.

The Old Testament of the Bible records how God’s people lost their physical freedom time and again as various empires overtook them (most notably the Egyptians, as recorded in the book of Exodus).

The loss of physical freedom was often tied to spiritual disobedience like worshiping false gods. But time and again, the one true God forgave His people and rescued them. When God freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, He was foreshadowing the arrival of Jesus Christ, who came to free humanity from sin—the spiritual slavery that leads to death.

Today, many people are living in spiritual slavery without realizing it. They chase false gods of money, success, personal comfort and romantic love—only to realize they still have an emptiness that can’t be filled by any of those things .

>> Everyone worships something. Read Billy Graham’s short answer about the definition of an idol.

2. God’s answer to our loss of freedom has always been Jesus Christ.

When Jesus began his short period of ministry on the earth, He announced He was the One that God’s people had been waiting for since the fall of humanity. He did this by reading a particular passage from the book of Isaiah—a passage his listeners knew was referring to the Messiah, or the Savior of the world.

The words had been written hundreds of years earlier and spoke of a new freedom that was coming in the future. When Jesus stood up to read, He was saying the future had arrived. Liberty would come through Him.

“And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’

And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, ‘ Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing’” (Luke 4:17-21, emphasis added).

>> Read Billy Graham’s short devotion, “Truth Brings Freedom.”

3. Jesus came to free us from death, sin and anything that enslaves us.

The core message of the Christian faith—the Gospel—is that Jesus Christ rescues us from the slavery of sin and offers true freedom in this life and beyond. This is what Jesus said:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life ” (John 3:16).

The Good News—the best news ever—is that faith in Jesus frees us from the death we deserve for sinning against God. It frees us from the punishment that would be inflicted upon us at the end of our lives for the evil things we’ve thought and done.

While Christ followers still battle with sin, they are no longer slaves to it. Through the power of Christ, His people can be set free from the bondage of greed, vanity, pride, pornography, addiction , abusive behavior, gluttony, selfishness—and any other sin under the sun. Here’s what Jesus said about the freedom He offers:

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” ( John 8:31-32).

“Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:34-36).

>> Watch Billy Graham’s powerful message, “Truth and Freedom,” from his 1969 New York City Crusade.

4. God gives us freedom to choose our own path.

God created human beings, not robots. We don’t have to accept the freedom He offers us through Jesus Christ. He gives each person the free will to accept or reject His salvation. But the Bible warns that hell is a real place where real people end up when they knowingly reject the truth.

Likewise, those who choose Christ are not forced to obey Him at every turn. But God makes it clear: the best life is one that’s devoted to honoring Him. As the Apostle Paul explained to some of the first Christians:

“’All things are lawful for me,’” but not all things are helpful. ‘All things are lawful for me,’ but I will not be dominated by anything” (1 Corinthians 6:12).

“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” (Galatians 5:13).

>> What is “the judgment,” and why did Jesus have to die for our sins? Listen to Billy Graham’s message .

Final thoughts on freedom

From cover to cover, God’s Word points to freedom in Christ. And God doesn’t leave us wondering how to grab hold of the freedom He offers. It starts with acknowledging our brokenness—and admitting we are slaves to sin. And it ends with choosing Jesus and following Him daily. Only He can break the bonds of slavery and lead us to true freedom, now and forever.

Choose Jesus today, and find out what true freedom feels like .

Read Today's Devotion

He died for us.

Freedom in Christ - What is it? How can I experience true freedom in Christ?

Featured Essay The Love of God An essay by Sam Storms Read Now
Faithfulness of God
Saving Grace
Adoption by God

U.S. Edition

Arts & Culture
Bible & Theology
Christian Living
Current Events
Faith & Work
As In Heaven
Gospelbound
Post-Christianity?
TGC Podcast
You're Not Crazy
Churches Planting Churches
Help Me Teach The Bible
Word Of The Week
Upcoming Events
Past Conference Media
Foundation Documents
Church Directory
Global Resourcing
Donate to TGC

To All The World

The world is a confusing place right now. We believe that faithful proclamation of the gospel is what our hostile and disoriented world needs. Do you believe that too? Help TGC bring biblical wisdom to the confusing issues across the world by making a gift to our international work.

Divine Sovereignty and Human Freedom

Other essays.

Divine sovereignty, which is that God exercises efficacious, universal, and loving control over all things, is compatible with human freedom in that humans are free to do what they want to do, although God is sovereign over our desires.

The sovereignty of God is the same as the lordship of God, for God is the sovereign over all of creation. The major components of God’s lordship are his control, authority, and presence. To discuss the sovereignty of God, though, is to focus particularly on the aspect of control, though this should not bracket God’s authority and gracious presence out of the discussion. The control that God exercises over all things is both efficacious and universal; there is not one thing outside of his control. This even extends to human sin and faith. However, people still remain free and God remains innocent of sin. This is because humans have the freedom to do whatever it is that they want, while their desires are in turn decided by their natures, situations, and, ultimately, God.

The term sovereignty is rarely found in recent translations of Scripture, but it represents an important biblical concept. A sovereign is a ruler, a king, a lord, and Scripture often refers to God as the one who rules over all. His most common proper name, Yahweh (see Ex. 3:14) is regularly translated Lord in the English Bible. And Lord, in turn, is found there over 7,000 times as a name of God and specifically as a name of Jesus Christ. So, to discuss the sovereignty of God is to discuss the lordship of God—that is, to discuss the Godness of God, the qualities that make him to be God.

The major components of the biblical concept of divine sovereignty or lordship are God’s control , authority , and presence (see John Frame, The Doctrine of God , 21–115). His control means that everything happens according to his plan and intention. Authority means that all his commands ought to be obeyed. Presence means that we encounter God’s control and authority in all our experience, so that we cannot escape from his justice or from his love.

When theologians discuss divine sovereignty and human freedom, however, they usually focus on only one of these three aspects of God’s sovereignty, what I have called his control. This aspect will be in focus in the remainder of this article, but we should keep in mind that God’s control over the world is only one aspect of his rule. When we consider only his control, we tend to forget that his rule is also gracious, gentle, intimate, covenantal, wise, good, and so on. God’s sovereignty is an exercise of all his divine attributes, not just his causal power.

God’s Sovereign Control

It is important to have a clear idea of God’s sovereign control of the world he has made. That control is a major part of the context in which God reveals himself to Israel as Yahweh, the Lord. That revelation comes to Israel when that nation is in slavery to Egypt. When he reveals his name to Moses, he promises a powerful deliverance:

But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go. (Ex. 3:19–20)

I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you for a possession. I am the Lord.’” (Exo 6:7–8)

God shows Israel that he truly is the Lord by defeating the greatest totalitarian empire of the ancient world and by giving Israel a homeland in the land promised centuries before to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Nothing can defeat Israel’s sovereign. He will keep his promise, displaying incredible controlling power, or he is not the Lord.

God’s control is efficacious :

Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. (Ps. 115:3)

Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. (Ps. 135:6)

The Lord of hosts has sworn: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand, that I will break the Assyrian in my land, and on my mountains trample him underfoot; and his yoke shall depart from them, and his burden from their shoulder.” This is the purpose that is purposed concerning the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations. For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back? (Isa. 14:24–27)

Also henceforth I am he [Yahweh]; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?” (Isa .43:13)

…so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (Isa. 55:11)

‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. (Rev. 3:7)

Not only is God’s control efficacious, it is also universal . It governs every event that takes place anywhere in the universe. Firstly, the events of the natural world come from his hand (Ps. 65:9–11, 135:6–7, 147:15–18, Matt. 5:45, 6:26–30, 10:29–30, Luke 12:4–7). Secondly, the details of human history come from God’s plan and his power. He determines where people of every nation will dwell (Acts 17:26). Thirdly, God determines the events of each individual human life (Ex. 21:12–13, 1 Sam. 2:6–7, Ps. 37:23–24, 139:13–16, Jer. 1:5, Eph. 1:4, James 4:13–16). Fourthly, God governs the free decisions we make (Prov. 16:9) including our attitudes toward others (Ex. 34:24, Judg. 7:22, Dan. 1:9, Ezra 6:22).

More problematically, God foreordains people’s sins (Ex. 4:4, 8, 21, 7:3, 13, 9:12, 10:1, 20, 27, Deut. 2:30, Josh. 11:18–20, 1 Sam. 2:25, 16:14, 1 Kings 22:20–23, 2 Chron. 25:20, Ps. 105:24, Isa. 6:9–10, 10:6, 63:17, Rom. 9:17–18, 11:7–8, 2 Cor. 2:15–16). But lastly, he is also the God of grace, who sovereignly ordains that people will come to faith and salvation :

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Eph. 2:4–10)

Therefore, salvation is God’s work from beginning to end, doing for us what we could never dream of doing for ourselves.

If we need any further evidence of the efficacy and universality of God’s sovereign control, here are passages that summarize the doctrine:

Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? 38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come? (Lam. 3:37)

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Rom. 8:28)

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will. (Eph. 1:11)

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Rom. 11:33)

Human Freedom

So the question posed by the title of this article is very pointed. Granted the overwhelming power of God’s sovereign control, its efficacy and universality, how can human freedom have any significance at all?

The term freedom has been taken in various senses. In our current discussion, two of these are particularly relevant: (1) compatibilism, which is the freedom to do what you want to do, and (2) libertarianism , which is the freedom to do the opposite of everything you choose to do. Compatibilism indicates that freedom is compatible with causation. Someone may force me to eat broccoli; but if that is something I want to do anyway, I do it freely in the compatibilist sense. Alternatively, if you have libertarian freedom, your choices are in no sense caused or constrained, either by your nature, your experience, your history, your own desires, or God. Libertarianism is sometimes called “incompatibilism,” because it is inconsistent with necessity or determination. If someone forces me to eat broccoli, I am not free, in the libertarian sense, to eat it or not eat it. On a libertarian account, any kind of “forcing” removes freedom.

In ordinary life, when we talk about being “free,” we usually have the compatibilist sense in mind. I am free when I do what I want to do. Usually, when someone asks me if I am free, say, to walk across the street, I don’t have to analyze all sorts of questions about causal factors in order to answer the question. If I am able to do what I want to do, then I am free, and that’s all there is to it. In the Bible, human beings normally have this kind of freedom. God told Adam not to eat of the forbidden fruit, but Adam had the power to do what he wanted. In the end, he and Eve did the wrong thing, but they did it freely. God’s sovereignty didn’t prevent Adam from doing what he wanted to do.

Our earlier discussion shows, however, that according to the Bible human beings do not have libertarian freedom: As we have seen, God ordains what we will choose to do, so he causes our choices. We are not free to choose the contrary of what he chooses for us to do. Scripture also teaches that the condition of our heart constrains our decisions, so there are no unconstrained human decisions, decisions that are free in the libertarian sense.

People sometimes think that we must have libertarian freedom, for how can we be morally responsible if God controls our choices? That is a difficult question. The ultimate answer is that moral responsibility is up to God to define. He is the moral arbiter of the universe. This is the exact question that comes up in Romans 9:

You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? (Rom. 9:19–24)

This passage rules out any attempt to argue libertarian freedom as a basis of moral responsibility.

Nevertheless, we should remember that even this passage presupposes freedom in the compatibilist sense: God prepared the two kinds of vessels, each for their respective destiny. He made the honorable vessels so that they would appropriately receive honor, and vice versa. When a human being trusts in Christ, he does what he wants to do and therefore acts freely in the compatibilist sense. We know from that choice that God has prepared him beforehand to make that choice freely. That divine preparation is grace. The believer did not earn the right to receive that divine preparation. But he responds, as he must, by freely embracing Christ. Without that free choice of Christ, prepared beforehand by God himself, it is impossible for anyone to be saved.

Unlocking the True Meaning of Christian Freedom: A Comprehensive Guide

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on unlocking the true meaning of Christian freedom. As Christians, we hear the term “freedom” thrown around often, but what does it really mean? In this guide, we will explore the biblical basis of Christian freedom, the importance of understanding it, and how to experience it in our daily lives.

Many people mistakenly believe that Christian freedom means we can do whatever we want without consequences. However, the true meaning of Christian freedom is quite different. It is about being free from the bondage of sin and living in obedience to God’s will.

In this guide, we will debunk common misconceptions about Christian freedom and show you how to experience true freedom in Christ. If you’re ready to unlock the full potential of Christian freedom, then keep reading to discover the transformative power it can have on your life.

The Importance of Understanding Christian Freedom

As Christians, we have all heard about the concept of Christian freedom . However, what does it actually mean to be free in Christ? This is a question that many Christians struggle with. Understanding the true meaning of Christian freedom is crucial to our spiritual growth and living a fulfilling life in Christ.

One of the most important aspects of Christian freedom is the fact that it is not just a license to sin . Many people misunderstand Christian freedom as the freedom to do whatever we want, but this is not the case. Christian freedom is a freedom from sin, not a freedom to sin.

Another reason why understanding Christian freedom is so important is that it affects our relationships . When we have a proper understanding of Christian freedom, we are better equipped to love and serve others. We are also less likely to judge others and more likely to extend grace and forgiveness.

Finally, understanding Christian freedom is essential to our witness . As Christians, we are called to share the Gospel with the world. However, if we do not understand the freedom that we have in Christ, how can we effectively share it with others? Our understanding of Christian freedom affects how we live our lives and how we communicate the Gospel message to those around us.

The Connection Between Christian Freedom and Spiritual Growth

Understanding: It is crucial to understand that Christian freedom does not mean living a life without any boundaries or limitations. On the contrary, it means living a life that is guided by God’s principles and values, which leads to spiritual growth and maturity.

Freedom from: Christian freedom frees us from the bondage of sin and guilt, allowing us to focus on our relationship with God and our spiritual growth.

Renewal: As we grow in our understanding of Christian freedom, we experience a renewal of our minds and hearts, which transforms us from the inside out and leads to spiritual growth.

The role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in our spiritual growth as He guides us, convicts us of sin, and empowers us to live a life that is pleasing to God.

In summary, Christian freedom and spiritual growth are intimately connected. Understanding the true meaning of Christian freedom, and how it relates to our spiritual growth, can lead to a transformed life that is guided by God’s principles and values. As we continue to grow in our relationship with God, we will experience the freedom and joy that comes from living a life that is fully surrendered to Him.

The Impact of Christian Freedom on Personal Relationships

Christian freedom has a profound impact on personal relationships, as it allows individuals to approach their relationships with love, respect, and selflessness. The freedom to love others as God loves them is a central theme in the Christian faith and can have a transformative effect on relationships.

Forgiveness: Christian freedom also enables individuals to forgive others, even in the face of hurt or betrayal. Forgiveness is a crucial component of healthy relationships and is necessary for healing and growth.

Servanthood: Christian freedom encourages individuals to serve others, putting their needs before their own. This selflessness is a hallmark of healthy relationships and can strengthen bonds between individuals.

Equality: Christian freedom emphasizes the equality of all people before God, regardless of their background or social status. This recognition of equality can help to break down barriers between individuals and promote unity and understanding.

Overall, Christian freedom enables individuals to approach their relationships with love, forgiveness, servanthood, and equality. By embracing these values, individuals can create healthy, fulfilling relationships that honor God and benefit themselves and others.

The Relationship Between Christian Freedom and Social Justice

Christian freedom is not just about personal salvation but also about social transformation. It’s about creating a just and equitable society where everyone can thrive. When Christians live out their freedom in Christ, they are called to serve others, to seek justice, and to advocate for the marginalized.

Social justice is at the heart of the Christian faith. God calls us to care for the poor, the oppressed, and the vulnerable. Christian freedom gives us the power and the responsibility to act on behalf of those who are suffering.

When we understand our freedom in Christ, we are empowered to fight against injustice and oppression. We can work to dismantle systems of oppression and to create a more just and equitable society. We can use our freedom to speak truth to power and to advocate for policies that promote social justice.

Christian freedom and social justice go hand in hand. When we live out our freedom in Christ, we become agents of change in our communities and in the world. We can work towards a society that reflects God’s love and justice, where everyone is valued and treated with dignity.

The Biblical Basis of Christian Freedom

Christian freedom is a concept deeply rooted in the Bible, and it is essential to understand its biblical basis to appreciate its true meaning. The Bible teaches that human beings were created in the image of God, with the freedom to choose their own path in life.

In the Old Testament, the concept of freedom is highlighted in the story of the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, where God frees his people from slavery and oppression. In the New Testament, the teachings of Jesus emphasize the importance of freedom from sin and the law.

The apostle Paul also plays a significant role in the biblical basis of Christian freedom. In his letters, he explains that Christians are free from the law and sin and that their freedom comes from their faith in Christ.

Furthermore, the Bible teaches that Christian freedom comes with responsibilities. Christians are called to use their freedom to serve others and to live according to God’s will. They are to exercise their freedom in a way that does not lead to sin or harm others.

Overall, the biblical basis of Christian freedom emphasizes that true freedom comes from faith in Christ and that it is to be exercised in a responsible and loving manner.

The Nature of God’s Grace and Christian Freedom

Grace is a central theme in the Bible, and it plays a critical role in understanding Christian freedom. Grace refers to the unmerited favor that God shows to humanity despite our sins and shortcomings. It is by grace that we are saved and set free from the bondage of sin.

Christian freedom is therefore closely linked to grace because it is a product of God’s grace towards us. We are free because of God’s unmerited favor towards us, which we receive through faith in Jesus Christ.

This grace is not something we can earn or work for, but it is freely given to us by God. It is a gift that we receive through faith in Jesus Christ and through his sacrifice on the cross.

As we grow in our understanding of God’s grace, we also grow in our understanding of Christian freedom. The more we comprehend the depth and breadth of God’s grace, the more we can appreciate the true nature of our freedom in Christ.

The Role of Faith in Experiencing Christian Freedom

Faith plays a crucial role in experiencing Christian freedom. Without faith, we cannot accept the truth of the gospel and the freedom that comes with it. When we have faith in Christ, we are freed from the bondage of sin and empowered to live according to God’s will.

Our faith in Christ also gives us the confidence to approach God in prayer, knowing that we have been reconciled to Him through Christ’s sacrifice. This confidence in prayer helps us to seek God’s guidance and strength as we navigate the challenges of life.

Furthermore, our faith in Christ enables us to trust in God’s goodness and sovereignty, even in difficult circumstances. We can rest in the knowledge that God is working all things together for our good, and that nothing can separate us from His love.

In short, faith is essential to experiencing the fullness of Christian freedom. It enables us to receive the gift of salvation, to approach God in prayer, and to trust in His goodness and sovereignty, even in the midst of trials and tribulations.

The Relationship Between the Law and Christian Freedom

Many Christians wonder how the law relates to their freedom in Christ. Some believe that being free in Christ means that they are no longer bound by the law. Others believe that the law still has a place in the Christian life.

First, it’s important to understand that the law serves as a guide for how to live a righteous life. The law teaches us what is right and wrong, and it exposes our sinfulness. It shows us our need for a savior and points us to Jesus Christ.

Second, while the law is important, it cannot save us. Only faith in Jesus Christ can save us from sin and death.

Third, Christ fulfilled the law, and as a result, we are no longer under the law but under grace. This means that we are no longer condemned by the law, but we are free to live by the Spirit.

Finally, our freedom in Christ does not give us license to sin. Instead, it empowers us to live a life that pleases God. When we live by the Spirit, we fulfill the law because we love God and love others.

Understanding the relationship between the law and Christian freedom is essential for living a life that is pleasing to God. When we understand that the law serves as a guide, that faith in Jesus Christ is essential, that Christ fulfilled the law, and that our freedom empowers us to live by the Spirit, we can experience the true freedom that comes from being in Christ.

The Misconceptions Surrounding Christian Freedom

Legalism is the only enemy of Christian freedom. While legalism can hinder Christian freedom, it is not the only obstacle. Other misconceptions like antinomianism and libertinism can also pose threats.

Christian freedom means doing whatever we want. This belief is false. Christian freedom does not mean that we are free to sin or to live our lives without regard to God’s will. Instead, it means that we are free from the bondage of sin and empowered to live according to God’s will.

Christian freedom leads to licentiousness. Some people believe that Christian freedom leads to anarchy and moral chaos. However, this is not true. Christian freedom does not negate the need for moral standards or promote immoral behavior.

Christian freedom is only for mature Christians. This belief is incorrect. Christian freedom is a gift given to all believers in Christ, regardless of their spiritual maturity level. However, our understanding and application of Christian freedom may grow as we mature in our faith.

Christian freedom is an individualistic concept. This belief is false. Christian freedom is not just about our personal rights and liberties. Instead, it involves our responsibilities towards others and our duty to love and serve them. We must use our freedom to glorify God and to build up the body of Christ.

Christian Freedom is Not a License to Sin

Grace is often misunderstood as a free pass to do whatever one wants, but Christian freedom is not a license to sin. Sin enslaves us, but Christ’s sacrifice on the cross has set us free from sin’s power. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 6:1-2 that we cannot continue to sin because we have been set free.

Christian freedom is not a rejection of God’s law or a desire to do what we want, but rather it is the ability to live in obedience to God’s will with joy and thanksgiving. We are free to follow God’s commands because of Christ’s sacrifice and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in us.

Freedom in Christ does not mean we can live as we please or that we are above the law. Instead, it means that we are free to live according to God’s perfect plan for our lives. We are no longer bound by sin and death, but have been given new life in Christ.

It is important to remember that Christian freedom is not a justification for sin or a reason to indulge in the desires of the flesh. Instead, it is a call to live in righteousness and holiness, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and to use our freedom to serve and glorify God.

Christian Freedom Does Not Mean We Can Do Whatever We Want

Christian freedom is not a license to do whatever we want. It does not mean we have the freedom to engage in sinful behavior or to act in ways that are harmful to others. In fact, Christian freedom is about living a life that is pleasing to God and serves others.

When we become Christians, we are no longer slaves to sin but are free to live a life that is in accordance with God’s will. This means that we should use our freedom to serve others, to do good works, and to glorify God.

Our freedom as Christians is not a selfish freedom, but a freedom to love others and to serve God. It is a freedom that requires responsibility and self-control. We must be careful not to use our freedom as an excuse to sin or to harm others.

Instead, we should use our freedom to help others and to promote righteousness. We should strive to live a life that is worthy of the calling we have received in Christ Jesus, and to use our freedom to bring glory to God.

How to Experience True Christian Freedom

Surrender – True Christian freedom is found in surrendering our lives to God and His will. We must let go of our own desires and plans and trust in His perfect plan for our lives.

Follow Christ – We must follow Christ’s example of obedience and sacrifice. He is the perfect example of true freedom, as He willingly laid down His life for us.

Renew our minds – We must renew our minds and allow the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out. This means letting go of our old ways of thinking and embracing God’s truth.

Live in community – We were not meant to live in isolation, but in community with other believers. We need accountability, encouragement, and support as we strive to live in true Christian freedom.

Serve others – True freedom is not found in selfishness, but in serving others. We must follow Christ’s example of serving others and putting their needs above our own.

The Importance of Surrendering to God’s Will

Surrendering to God’s will is an essential aspect of experiencing true Christian freedom. When we acknowledge that God is in control, we free ourselves from the burden of trying to control everything in our lives. Surrendering to God’s will allows us to trust that God has a plan for our lives, and He will guide us in the right direction.

Surrendering to God’s will requires us to let go of our own desires and selfish ambitions. It means putting God’s plans ahead of our own plans and trusting that His ways are higher than our ways. Surrendering to God’s will also involves accepting His timing, even when it doesn’t align with our own.

Surrendering to God’s will requires us to have faith and trust in God. When we surrender, we are acknowledging that God is all-knowing and all-powerful. We are also recognizing that His ways are perfect and His plans for us are good.

Surrendering to God’s will does not mean that we will never face challenges or difficulties in life. However, when we surrender to God, we can face these challenges with confidence, knowing that God is with us and will help us through them.

Surrendering to God’s will is a daily practice. It requires us to continually seek God’s guidance and trust Him to lead us in the right direction. As we surrender more and more to God, we will experience true Christian freedom and the peace that comes from knowing that we are in God’s hands.

The Role of Forgiveness in Experiencing Christian Freedom

Forgiveness is a crucial aspect of Christian freedom. Jesus taught us to forgive others as we have been forgiven by God. Holding grudges and refusing to forgive can weigh us down and hinder our spiritual growth.

Forgiving others is not always easy, but it is necessary. When we forgive, we release ourselves from the burden of anger and bitterness, and we can experience the peace that comes with letting go of our hurt and pain.

Forgiveness does not mean we condone someone’s actions, but it does mean we choose to extend grace and mercy, just as God has done for us. Forgiveness frees us from the bondage of unforgiveness and allows us to experience the fullness of God’s love and grace.

Forgiveness also opens the door to reconciliation and restoration of relationships. It can be a powerful tool for healing brokenness and fostering unity in the body of Christ.

As we strive to live in Christian freedom, let us remember the importance of forgiveness. Let us choose to extend grace and mercy to others, just as God has done for us.

The Role of Christian Freedom in Living a Fulfilling Life

Choice: One of the key benefits of Christian freedom is the ability to make choices that align with our values and beliefs, leading to a sense of fulfillment in our lives. When we are no longer bound by legalistic rules and regulations, we are free to pursue what truly matters to us.

Responsibility: With Christian freedom comes a great responsibility to use it wisely. We must be mindful of how our choices affect others and the world around us. We must also recognize that our freedom is not unlimited and should not be used as an excuse to harm ourselves or others.

Relationships: Christian freedom allows us to build deeper, more authentic relationships with God and others. When we are no longer focused on following a set of rules, we can approach our faith with a sense of joy and enthusiasm. We can also connect with others who share our values and beliefs, building a strong community of support and encouragement.

How Christian Freedom Helps Us Live with Purpose

Fulfillment: Christian freedom allows us to find fulfillment in life by living according to God’s purpose for us. When we are free from the bondage of sin and guilt, we can focus on serving God and others with joy.

Direction: Our freedom in Christ gives us direction and guidance for our lives. We are not aimlessly wandering, but have a clear path to follow, guided by the Holy Spirit and the teachings of Christ.

Empowerment: Through our freedom in Christ, we are empowered to live out our purpose with courage and boldness. We have the strength to overcome obstacles and the confidence to share the love of Christ with others.

The Future of Christian Freedom in the Modern World

As the world becomes more secularized, the concept of Christian freedom may be seen as outdated or irrelevant. However, religious freedom remains a crucial aspect of human rights, and Christians must continue to advocate for it.

Technology has brought both benefits and challenges to the Christian faith, with access to information and resources at our fingertips, but also the temptation of online distractions and the potential for cyber attacks against churches and religious organizations.

Another challenge facing Christian freedom is the rise of cancel culture , which can stifle freedom of speech and expression. It’s important for Christians to engage in respectful dialogue and defend their beliefs, while also being open to learning from others.

The future of Christian freedom also depends on the engagement of younger generations in the faith. It’s important to educate and inspire young people to understand the importance of religious freedom and to use their voices to advocate for it in their communities and in the political sphere.

Finally, Christians must also confront the reality of religious persecution around the world. As Christians in countries such as China and North Korea face severe restrictions on their freedom to practice their faith, it’s important for Christians in the West to use their freedom to advocate for their persecuted brothers and sisters.

The Role of Christian Freedom in Promoting Human Rights

Christian freedom has a crucial role in promoting human rights globally. The biblical teachings and principles of love, equality, and respect for human dignity are the foundations for the protection and promotion of human rights. Christian freedom provides a framework for respecting the human rights of individuals and groups, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or social status.

Christian freedom promotes the concept of the inherent value of every human being, which is the cornerstone of human rights. It recognizes the importance of treating people with compassion, justice, and fairness, and promoting their well-being. As such, it advocates for the freedom to express one’s beliefs, to participate in society, and to pursue happiness and fulfillment.

Christian freedom is also vital in advocating for the rights of the oppressed and marginalized. It challenges systems and structures that deny people their basic human rights, and calls for action to promote justice and equality for all. This includes speaking out against human trafficking, slavery, discrimination, and other forms of injustice that violate human rights.

Ultimately, Christian freedom upholds the principle that all human beings are created in the image of God and are deserving of respect, dignity, and freedom. By promoting human rights, it serves as a catalyst for social change and transformation that can create a better world for everyone.

The Impact of Culture on the Perception of Christian Freedom

Culture plays a significant role in shaping the way people view Christian freedom. In some cultures, freedom is equated with individualism, while in others, it is seen as being part of a community. Therefore, the perception of Christian freedom can vary based on cultural background.

Some cultures may view Christian freedom as a license to do whatever one wants, while others may see it as an opportunity to serve others. This perception can be influenced by factors such as family values, religious traditions, and societal norms.

It’s important for Christians to be aware of how their cultural background shapes their view of freedom and to critically examine whether their perception aligns with the biblical teachings on freedom. This can involve challenging cultural norms that may conflict with biblical principles.

Ultimately, Christian freedom should be viewed through the lens of the gospel, which emphasizes love, grace, and service to others. Regardless of cultural differences, the message of the gospel remains the same and should be central to our understanding of freedom.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can christian freedom be defined.

Christian freedom is a concept that has been widely discussed throughout history. Some people define it as the ability to live according to God’s will, while others see it as the freedom to make choices without fear of condemnation. Ultimately, the definition of Christian freedom is a matter of interpretation and can vary from person to person.

What is the biblical basis for Christian freedom?

The Bible teaches that Christ has set us free from sin and death, and that we are no longer under the law but under grace. This freedom allows us to live in relationship with God and to follow His will without the burden of legalism. The apostle Paul wrote extensively on this subject, emphasizing the importance of freedom in Christ and the dangers of returning to legalistic ways of living.

How does Christian freedom relate to responsibility?

Christian freedom is not a license to do whatever we want. Instead, it is a responsibility to live according to God’s will and to love and serve others. This means that while we are free to make choices, we must always consider how our actions affect those around us and honor our commitment to God.

What are some misconceptions about Christian freedom?

One common misconception is that Christian freedom means we can do whatever we want without consequence. Another is that it means we are free from all rules and can live however we please. However, true Christian freedom is not the absence of rules, but the ability to live in accordance with God’s will and to experience the fullness of life that He offers.

How can we experience true Christian freedom?

To experience true Christian freedom, we must first surrender our lives to Christ and allow Him to transform us from the inside out. We must also commit to living a life of obedience and service to God, recognizing that our freedom is not for our own benefit but for the glory of God and the good of others. Finally, we must continue to grow in our understanding of God’s grace and our identity in Christ, allowing His love to guide us in all that we do.

Privacy Overview

Written by Paul J Bucknell on July, 22, 2021

John 8:30-36 True Freedom in Christ 

No chains can constrain the love found in Christ Jesus!

“ 30 As He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him. 31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free .” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?”

34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” (NASB)

We all like freedom. The youth aspire to a greater life because of the freedoms sought in adulthood. People seek wealth and the freedom associated with it. Couples seek freedom in marriage. Countries desire their sovereignty. But what constitutes freedom? I’m afraid in this hedonistic age that people have confused their lusts with freedom.

Jesus resets our understanding of freedom through His words in John 8:30-36. Jesus states that freedom comes by knowing and living out His words. If this definition sounds too constraining, listen carefully, for it’s the words that Jesus uses. Life and true freedom are found in Jesus Christ and His Words. In a parallel vein, freedom is lost, and slavery adopted the more our lives are less impacted by the words of Jesus.

Culture Problems

There have always been problems confusing the essential Gospel work with its effects. We face this challenge in an unprecedented way in today’s world as many Christians move their allegiance from Jesus’ words to what they think are positive effects of the Gospel. The darkening of the Dark Ages came upon those in greater Europe mainly because they lost connection to Jesus’ words. The Reformation brought success only to areas where they discovered and reclaimed the truth from Jesus’ words.

We need to be extremely wary of anyone, including Christian leaders and groups, who shift their foundation from Jesus’ words to popular and cherished slogans.

In John 8:30-36, John provides unique insights not only on what we should be seeking but on ways we hold wrong assumptions about freedom and slavery.

I encourage you to contemplate the glory of the freedom found in Christ‚ no matter where you are presently. With this challenge before us, let us step into the first main point: Freedom and Delight.

1. Freedom and Delight (John 8:30-32)

The modern world has perilously forgotten that genuine freedom is tethered to Jesus’ words.

The world persistently positions truth as being boring, constraining, and tedious. Jesus, however, interestingly attaches the truth to freedom, like a kite with its flying power sourced from the string held to the ground. Release the string, and the flying kite tragically and abruptly falls to the ground. Let’s see how Jesus presents His case. Whether religious or not, the modern world has perilously forgotten that genuine freedom is tethered to the truth of Jesus’ words.

Belief in Christ

John first points out that many Jews came to believe in Jesus: “Many came to believe in Him” (John 8:30). Saving faith is the greatest life-changing miracle that takes place—the change of heart and faith. Many want to see a healing miracle or another sort of miracle, but nothing proves God’s existence today as much as the change in people’s lives.

Belief in Jesus is more important than anything else in life, and so it’s tremendous to see so many people believe.

There are, however, a few reasons to wonder about their belief in Jesus. John first states that they had doubts—“They did not realize….” But later, he calls them believing Jews. Perhaps when Jesus spoke, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He” (John 8:28), they thought Jesus would reveal His great powers and overcome the Romans.

27 They did not realize that He had been speaking to them about the Father. 28 So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.” (John 8:27-28)

It’s an eternal mistake to make one’s faith a secondary or extraneous life decision. John reaffirms that when defining the purpose of John’s Gospel: “But these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31).

Do you believe in Jesus? Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life” (John 5:24).

This leads us to two questions. (1) What happens when a person believes in Christ? And (2) What happens after one believes in Christ? Jesus doesn’t say much on the first question here, as in John 3 and 4 but focuses on question 2. But let me first summarize the powerful work of God that takes place every time someone is born from above (John 3).(1) What happens when a person believes in Christ?

The Spirit convicts us of our sin and then causes us to be born again through the living Word of God.

“ 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4).

Our living God initiates these authentic experiences; we respond to them. We must not minimize them as mere religious experiences; they are genuine and foundational. (Of course, the evil one is falsely motivating some, having some falsely confess Christ.)

God, similarly, is at work today. He works in our lives not because we are acceptably moral creatures but according to His great mercy (1 Peter 1:1-3). People share their testimony because the resurrected Lord has demonstrated the wonderful love of God to them.

Jesus points out that saving faith is only the beginning, not the end focus.

What happens after one believes in Christ?

The pursuit for our lives is not to gratify our immediate desires but to accomplish God’s purposes for our lives. Freedom is found by becoming Jesus’ disciples. Let’s see what He told them in John 8:31-32.

Jesus describes three results when securing spiritual freedom by faith in Christ; it’s portrayed as an event and process. The three facets work intricately together, though they appear to happen simultaneously: 1) Continue in My Word, 2) Know the Truth, and 3) The truth sets one free.

(1) Continue in My Word

Faith or belief in Christ initiates the whole process of learning the teachings of Jesus. Genuine disciples are not those that merely hear or acknowledge the words of Jesus but live according to them or as Jesus says, “You continue in My Word.”

Jesus distinguishes between those who believe (“Many came to believe in Him) and those who persist in their faith—continue in Jesus’ word. Jesus is not saying one has to do these things to become a Christian. This continuation in His Word is the direct result of genuinely coming to know the Lord. Again, it’s wrong to assume that this level of obedience is what it takes to believe in Jesus. Clearly, it’s faith, but it’s a saving faith that produces obedience.

Think of it as a meeting with God that never leaves you the same. God’s love is born in you, issuing a love for God, His Word, and others.

Genuine faith in Christ stirs deeply in the believers, causing a deep desire to know and obey Jesus’ Word. We can readily see this change in new Christians who suddenly love to hear and do God’s Words. His Word becomes their food (Heb 5:12-14).

(2) Know the Truth

The second step follows the doing of Christ’s word—knowing the truth. Sometimes, we demand to see the truth before we commit ourselves to the Lord. This is senseless. One can try to teach a dead man lots of things, but he can’t learn. A person first needs to be born again with a new life, and then being alive, he can understand and grow.

Disobedience cuts off the growing process because it doesn’t allow the truth to enter. We disallow a particular part of our lives to be corrected by Jesus’ words.

Some of you might get mad at the way we assert our knowledge of the truth. I can understand but realize what Jesus is saying. You can’t appreciate it because you are not listening and following Jesus’ words. Test His words if you will! Ask new Christians about how they considered themselves blind before they became Christians. Life precedes before the living out of these truths.

Knowing the truth is like a computer program. A computer might be plugged in and working, but it still needs a major operating system and smaller programs to be usable. God’s code is His truth, Jesus’ words. The Christian, now possessing life, seeks to acquire God’s Word and live by it so that they can live out God’s design for his life. (I remember back in the mid-80s writing a program for my computer to practice my Mandarin and Taiwanese vocabulary words. A few hundred Basic code lines helped me significantly improve my language learning.) Our hearts are now compatible with this truth, and when directing our minds, it directs our paths. We adopt His thoughts and desires, becoming overly important to our lives.

Jesus says, “You will know the truth.” Is this truly a one-time experience? Yes, but the question leads us in the wrong direction. Knowing the truth is like opening a blind man’s eyes, enabling him to see so many things he couldn’t see before. The giving of sight brings a believer into a whole new world of experience. Now he sees things in the car, on the elevator, and even on an evening walk. The result of knowing the truth enables a believer to acquire and access that truth regularly.

Salvation is a package deal. The initial changes open one up to all sorts of truth experiences. Holding the key to a house allows you to explore the entire place.

One of the greatest follies would be to gain that eyesight but to keep one’s eyes closed, or to possess that key but never explore all the rooms or be content with a darkened closet. And so, one of the greatest mistakes a believer can make is to think that the initial “know the truth,” being saved, is the sum total of being a Christian! A saving faith is fantastic but only jets us into the stream of eternal life. Who would be content with birth when there is a life to live?

This is what Jesus says. There is an ongoing acquiring and experience of God’s Word seen in His words, “If you continue in My word” or “You are truly disciples of Mine” or in the effects that “the truth will make you free” (John 8:31-32).

One of my biggest challenges as a teacher of God’s Word is to get Christians to see the greatest is yet to come! The growth of a believer is not counted in how much he gives or comes to church but in abiding in Jesus’ Word and letting it direct their paths (cf. the vine in John 15).

I wish believers would pursue doctrinal purity and insist on the Christian’s spiritual development. Jesus was not willing for these many new believers to fool themselves, now that they count themselves among His number.

(Behind the “knowing the truth” is the battle for the supremacy of God’s Word persists to this day, even in main denominations. Many have left God’s Word, evident by leaders who had no interest in God’s Word, leaving their denominations foundational-less, and many have disappeared.)

(3) The truth shall make you free

Jesus declares the third element of this belief process, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Free in what way? Free to do what we were created. Free to do all the things we should do. Free to be ourselves.

With this ‘freedom’ comes the real meaning in life for which we have been searching. They now abide in Jesus’ Word. Christ’s Spirit leads and lives in them. This leads us to the second step.

Jesus tried to clarify what was happening. Some are believers but not disciples of Jesus. It’s for this reason, many teachers, including myself, speak of “professing faith,” where one confesses belief in Christ but needs to give evidence for that faith.

The Reformers rightly insisted on the perseverance of the faith, which is Jesus’ point. The Spirit of God originates life from His Word of Life, which in turn brings a growing, persisting faith.

Time is needed to prove each one of us. Jesus’ words, “If you continue in my word” anticipate a deeper, ongoing conviction. These are Jesus’ true disciples. On the other hand, some professors of Christ only want the general association with Jesus and do not have a true commitment to His words. They believe association, like a good luck charm, will provide extra life benefits.

Captivity is seen in doing things that one was not designed to do. It is what we call sin. For example, will a fish consider it free if taken from a river and put on the land? Or again, if one does not supply power to the computer, it is a black screen—even without using a screen saver program. God’s truth restores freedom to human beings because it brings them back to the environment in which they were made to live—God’s presence. It is liberating because it is so right, natural, good, and beautiful. God made people in His image, bringing about a restoration that leads to true freedom.

One person, for example, might be a habitual liar. Lying is the way he gets what he wants. He thinks he is better off by lying and has deluded himself by not questioning the impact that lying has on his life. Though he gets some things by lying, he loses out in the long end. The liar convinces himself that he is doing great because he thinks his lies help him. But lies hurt people. Lies create superficial people. How can you have a friend if you lie to those around you? You don’t. You are disloyal, but to be a friend, you must be truthful. People find that if they cannot trust you in one area, they cannot trust you in other areas. If a person lies, it proves that he places his interests ahead of the interests of others.

Lying negatively affects your career; it destroys your marriage relationship. Now you might have grown up thinking that these relationships can never be good. But this is not true. Jesus brings the truth by which we can form strong friends and spouses. We are not going to flatter or show off but to care for others. Let love substitute your selfishness and transform your lives. You will become free.

Jesus essentially says that He has come into the world to set us free from all the sin patterns that have frustrated and troubled our lives. The more we go against the words of Christ, the more our lives become snarled and twisted. But as we abide in His Word, we reverse that cycle. He leads us into the truth, which escorts us into freedom.

Someone once asked, “Is there sufficient evidence to convict you of being a follower of Christ?” It’s a good question for us all.

2. Slavery and Delusion (John 8:33-36)

33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?”

Everyone loves to hear about freedom. For most, it means release from oppression. Now the Jews lived under the strict rule of the Romans; one corner of the temple area had become a Roman fort.

The Jews, however, realized that Jesus was getting at something much deeper than the love of choice and belief. As a clever teacher, He pointed to their chains. They, like all, resentfully resisted the implication that they were enslaved and asserted being sons of Abraham. What they said was true about being Abraham’s children (not in Paul’s language where they clung to the Law - Ishmael), but the Israelites were, at times, held in captivity.

The most significant and telling teaching here is Jesus’ definition of slavery: “Everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin” (John 8:34). This problem explains both the global problem as well as the social and individual problems of society—sin. Sin here means “miss the mark” or wander from God’s divine law. Jesus used it in a very decisive way, starting in verse 21, concluding, “For unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24).

Jesus claims to be equal with Yahweh God through the phrase, “I am He,” the everlasting self-existing One. The personal Creator God came to earth to seek us. If we miss this truth—like missing a plane or mistaking a bridge, we will die in our sins.

What do you think is so important right now for us as a culture? In a society like ours with a strong Christian base, people don’t typically outright deny Christ, but they begin to marginalize His influence. They want us to accept Jesus’ thoughts as of equal authority and weight as others.

Jesus, however, states that life begins with His Words. Without them, without belief in Jesus’ work on the cross and resurrection, you will die in your sins and suffer the consequences of eternal damnation.

But you say, “Our sin isn’t that bad,” but did you note Jesus clarification. He who sins is the slave to sin. This includes us all. Sin shows that we belong to the evil one and live out his ways. Sin, then, betrays our pretended innocence. Sure, you might convince yourself to be better than another, but are you sinless? No, you missed the mark (Rom 3:21).

Although many theses and papers exist providing their proposals and solutions, Jesus upfront informs us that if they do not deal with mankind’s root problem of sin, they miss the point. Plans that diminish the Gospel truth by generating their own agenda form a false gospel.

Though people might make you feel backward or inferior, shouting down the importance of Christ, don’t be intimidated or misconstrue the problem. Sin betrays our heart problems and our resistance against God. Even in Catholic or Protestant churches sinful solutions and toleration reveal extensive hatred against God and His ways, such as promoting sexual immorality, abortion, hatred of others, etc.

It comes down to whom do you listen and follow. Jesus claims allegiance must come before any culture or party.

Christ above Culture

Truth above Falsehood

Like the believing Jews in Jesus’ time, professing Christians don’t directly say that they don’t need Jesus or that He is not important. Still, amid all of their socio-economic talk on values, one can see that they hold other things more important.

Jesus came to die on the cross and live like the King of His newly created kingdom of God, consisting of people free from their sins and the tyranny of the evil one. His people are thrust forward with an expectation of the king’s return and establishing a new heavens and earth.

Governmental reform is superficial, but the change of the heart of man remains most important. And as such, we are light and salt in this world.

The backslidden prefer the comfort of the screen and games to Bible study and application. They are not willing to advance Jesus’ Word over their conveniences.

Many in His time championed Israel and the temple against the Romans. Some of His disciples, including Judas Iscariot, were Zealots, but Jesus refused to sterilize the Gospel with the world’s acid. Judas later betrayed Jesus, allowing his political affiliations to sway His loyalty to Jesus and the truth.

Each generation should similarly disdain slavery, but our culture delights in sin with its promiscuity, bribes, and manipulating deceptive ways. Though people decry slavery, they cannot link it to their sin.

But perhaps, most suspiciously, Jesus spoke to them, “If you continue in My Word….” This forms the backdrop of Jesus’ famous statement found in John 8:32, “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” But this statement, upon closer observation, ends up meaning something far different what people hope to hear.

Can we conclude there is no freedom outside of Christ?
Can we equally agree that all the world’s systems, no matter how prominent or esteemed, are failed systems?
Can we, lastly, openly admit Jesus’ way as the only way to find freedom?

Freedom describes a person in light of God’s unique and special design without all the cramping and depressive effects of sin on one’s life. Positively, it’s who one is! It helps if we think about God’s purposes and plans for our lives. Do you sense the freedom here?

John Stott rightly stated (in my own words) that most people think about freedom in terms of what they escape rather than what they are freed to do. Both are important, but most believers end up thinking only of the first. It’s when we start seriously considering where God is leading us that the excitement of life begins!

The initial relationship with God through Christ persists in an ongoing life-transforming faith.

Discussion Questions on John 8:30-36

What was the Jews’ response to Jesus’ message in John 8:25-30?
How does belief in Christ save a person?
Define belief. What do you think it means by the phrase “believed Him?”
What makes us, in these verses, conclude that Jesus thought some who believed were not genuine believers but only professing believers?
Do you know of any individuals that believed but then turned away? Share.
How are truth and freedom related?
How do “know the truth” and “the truth shall set you free” work together in the Christian life?
Why do people not easily come to know Jesus? Don’t they see their sin and feel their chains of slavery?
How does the author describe this freedom?
Are you free from your sin? Give an example of how you know.

There are currently no comments, be the first!

We noticed you're not logged in, please login before commenting, thank you, related articles.

Our Facebook

Follow Paul Bucknell On Twitter!

Facing Antichrist and His Henchmen, Part 5

AI and the Future of the Christian Church - Part 4

Sound Doctrine: A Word Study on Sound Teaching

Philippians 1:9-11 Christ’s Love in Us

At the Millennium’s End (Revelation 20:1-10)

Enduring My Sufferings: A 1 Peter Study on Suffering

Isaiah 41:14-15 Enjoying My Vulnerabilities

Matthew 24:36 “That Day and Hour” — A practical interpretation with Study Questions

John 15:16 Fruit That Remain With Study Questions

1 Timothy 3:1-7 Selecting Godly Church Leadership with Bible Study Questions

Latest prayer letter.

Virtual Training #392 >>

Prayer letter archive >>, prayer letter signup.

July 02, 2015

The Glorious Privilege of Freedom in Christ

Related Resources

The Mighty Intervention of God

Complete Freedom, Part 2

Complete freedom, part 1.

How to Use Your Freedom

There’s no such thing as freedom — at least not in the sense that we can do whatever we please without restraint or consequence. That’s been Satan’s lie since the Garden of Eden: “Sure, Eve, you can eat the forbidden fruit. Then you can do whatever you want to do because you’ll be like God.” And Adam, standing next to her, said nothing to contradict the wily serpent (Genesis 3:6).

No, true freedom is something altogether different. Paul explained it this way in Romans 6:20 and 22:

For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness … But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.

Before salvation, we had no choice. We had to serve our sinful nature, which is susceptible to all Satan’s lies and tricks. But now, because of Christ’s sacrifice, we have been freed from sin’s dominion.

Roger R. Nicole, author and theologian, gave this helpful definition of freedom:

The ability to fulfill one’s destiny, to function in terms of one’s ultimate goal. [1]

In other words, Christ’s death on the cross freed us to become the people our Creator designed us to be. God intends for us to be vessels of his love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, patience, and goodness (Galatians 5:22-23). He has ordained us to be ambassadors of his truth, justice, forgiveness, and hope.

That glorious privilege is ours because we have been redeemed and Christ lives in us. Paul wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

But how often do we consider the greatness of Christ’s sacrifice for us — what it cost him to obtain this magnificent freedom to which we have access? If salvation has truly opened our eyes and filled us with hope, then we should glory in the ability we now have to “present [ourselves] to God, as those who have been brought from death to life, and [our] members to him as instruments of righteousness” (Romans 6:13).

The freedom to be an instrument of righteousness means that I no longer have to allow “sin to reign” in my life; neither do I have to yield to the “evil desires” of my sinful nature (Romans 6:12, NIV). Instead, through the power of the Holy Spirit, I can choose to live in a way that pleases God.

Here’s a checklist of new-life freedom behaviors Paul gives in Romans 12:9-16:

Hate evil — including TV shows, movies, and books that glorify evil.
Cling to good and hang out with people who encourage you to do good.
Be devoted to fellow Christians with sincere love — regardless of their ethnicity or socioeconomic level.
Honor others — even if it means they receive credit for what you do or benefit from privileges that you don’t share.
Resist discouragement and disillusionment that may prevent you from serving God or serving others. Your goal is to glorify him.
Remain hopeful — confident in God’s goodness and faithfulness.
Put aside complaining in tough times. No one likes a whiner. Rejoice in the blessings that cannot be taken away from you.
Pray about everything, asking God to reveal himself to you in every circumstance.
Share the resources and skills God has given you with others, considering it a privilege to do so.
Invite people into your home and treat them like honored guests.
Celebrate with those who celebrate.
Grieve with those who grieve.
Live in harmony with others, realizing that it is more important to be gracious than to be right.
Practice humility — eliminate “I told you so” from your vocabulary.

The illusion of serving ourselves is a mirage Satan fabricated. We can choose to serve sin and chain ourselves to its addictive, destructive behaviors. Or we can choose to serve righteousness — to follow Jesus and become more like him with every act of obedience. It’s that freedom — the freedom to choose — that Christ gives us. It’s that freedom that shattered the chains of sin that once bound us.

That freedom also leads to the kind of contagious joy and recognizable holiness that Jesus was talking about when he said, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Peter must have listened carefully that day because he later wrote, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12).

Paul ends Romans 6 with a reminder that just as there are only two masters, there are only two destinies: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord” (v. 23).

Why would we choose the bondage of slavery that propels us toward eternal death and reject the freedom of following Jesus to eternal life? Most, if not all, of those who read this post have chosen to follow Jesus. For us, the truly puzzling question is this: Why do we so often look back toward the path that leads to death, as if we were missing out on something?

Don’t allow Satan to deceive you. Keep your eyes on Jesus. He alone is the source of true freedom.

Have you found yourself looking back, as if you were missing out on something? Or have you fixed your eyes on your freedom in Christ?

[1] quoted in james m. boice’s romans: an expositional commentary . volume 2, p. 694., denise loock.

Spend 31 days in Psalm 23 with this new book from Pastor Colin Smith for your gift of any amount in April!

No thanks, I’m not interested!

Spiritual Growth and Christian Living Resources

BROWSE TOPICS X
Devotionals
Newsletters

5 Questions to Help Us Understand Our Freedom in Christ

Jen Jabbour Contributing Writer
Updated Aug 10, 2022

Have you ever stopped to consider what it really means to be free in Christ?

Whether you are new in your faith or you’ve been walking with the Lord for some time, this concept may be confusing.

Although I've been a Christ-follower most of my life, I’ve always just taken this concept for granted. But in reading through some of the passages of the Bible that discuss freedom in Christ (John 8, Romans 6-8, and Galatians 5), I started to have more and more questions.

I hope that this can be a primer to you for what it means to be free in Christ, as I seek to unpack answers to some questions we may have regarding freedom in Christ.

1. What Is Freedom in Christ and How Do I Obtain It?

Freedom means you have a choice. It means you are no longer restrained or controlled by the thing that once held you back.

Some people are fortunate to be born into a free country, but there are others that are not so lucky. They live their whole lives oppressed, or even enslaved, by others.

However, all of us are born as slaves to sin (Psalm 51:5). Our sin nature separates us from God’s love and His freeing power of the Holy Spirit. The moment you decide to place your trust in God and follow Him is when sin loses the power to control you (Romans 6:6).

Freedom in Christ means that you are no longer controlled by sin. The power of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17) gives you the ability to resist your sinful desires, and instead of choosing the path of sin and death, you are free to choose life (Romans 6:22).

Your first step towards freedom is salvation (John 3:16-21). Once you open up your heart and invite the Holy Spirit in, the chains that enslave you will be broken.

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14 NIV

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Boonyachoat

2. Does Freedom in Christ Mean I Can Do Whatever I Want?

Do not be mistaken. Freedom is not full, unhindered autonomy. Whether it's earthly freedom or spiritual freedom, there are always going to be laws, rules, and guidelines we have to follow. There will always be right and wrong.

Freedom in Christ means we no longer have to satisfy our sinful desires.

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” Galatians 5:16-17 NIV

The passage goes on to list all the types of sinful desires, or acts of the flesh, that we can still fall into if we are not careful, despite being free from the power of sin ( Galatians 5:19-21 ).

The Bible makes it very clear that if we continue to live like this, we are still enslaved to sin, and thus, our future is not secure. “ I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. ” Galatians 5:21 NIV

Unfortunately, because of the prominence of sin in our lives, we must be so intentional about choosing to follow Jesus . You must daily choose between allowing sin to control your life, or following Christ and experiencing ultimate freedom from sin.

“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.

3. What Are Ways I Allow the Enemy to Control Me, Even After I’ve Been Set Free?

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 ESV

The enemy longs to keep you from experiencing and sharing the freedom you have in Christ by continuing to entice you with sin, and using guilt and shame to remind you of your sinful past. Even though you have been set free from the control of sin, he doesn’t want to lose his grip on you.

Being free in Christ does not mean we will never fall back into our sinful ways, but it does mean we are no longer under sin’s control. Before we Christ redeemed us, our only choice was sin.

Sin is powerful, and without the saving power of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit , the enemy will always try to use sin to drag you down.

“but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” James 1:14-15 NIV

Freedom in Christ not only means we are free from sin, but also that we are free from the burden of sin, or the guilt and shame of things we’ve done in the past.

“Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.” Ephesians 2:1-3 NLT

The enemy loves it when we allow guilt and shame to reside in our hearts, when, even after Jesus forgave us, the weight of our past still weighs heavy on our shoulders.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2 NIV

Remember that one of the main characteristics of God and Jesus is that of love. “ God is love ” ( 1 John 4:16 NIV) and in 1 Corinthians 13:5 , Paul says that “ Love keeps no record of wrongs. ”

When you were set free, all the sins of your past were forgotten and forgiven; you are no longer held accountable for them.

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.” Galatians 5:24 NLT

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Irina Shatilova

4. How Do I Avoid Going Back to Being a Slave to Sin Once I’ve Been Set Free?

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26 ESV

Once you have chosen to follow Jesus , the Holy Spirit floods your heart and your mind. You don’t have to fall into the temptations of sin any longer. Yes, you will be tempted, but thanks to the Holy Spirit, you now have victory over sin. All you need to do is keep your eyes fixed on God.

Look to Jesus as your example of what to do when you are tempted. After fasting for 40 days in the wilderness, the devil came to Jesus and tempted Him three times, and all three times, Jesus did not stumble into sin ( Matthew 4:1-11 ). Instead, He turned to the Word of God and worshiped His Father.

Jesus called the Word of God our “daily bread” ( Matthew 6:11 ). Just as we all need to eat every day to nourish and fuel our bodies, we also need to daily consume God's Word to guard our hearts and minds from the enemy and from the temptation of sin ( Ephesians 6:10-17 ).

When you read God’s Word and pray regularly, and then temptation comes your way, you will be ready to recognize it for what it is and to run from it before it has a chance to take up residence in your life.

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 New Living Translation

Dead woods to a sunny garden connected by the cross

5. How Does My Life Change When I Choose Jesus Over Sin?

Though it may seem like a book of rules, the Bible, God’s Word, actually provides guidance on how to live as free as possible. When Jesus freed us, it says He took “captivity captive” ( Ephesians 4:8 NIV).

We didn’t go from being slaves of sin just to be enslaved to rules and expectations that are impossible to follow. However, that’s what the enemy wants you to think. He wants to deceive you into believing that choosing to follow Jesus means your life is over.

Freedom is always meant to be enjoyed. Freedom is meant to give you a new life, a fresh start, and opportunity to be everything God designed you to be.

Once you have been saved, you are a child of God, and a part of His Heavenly Kingdom; and God longs to lavish His children richly with blessings of all kinds.

Here are just a few verses that tell of the blessings we can expect to receive when we walk in the Spirit:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 1:3 ESV “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV “When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:7 ESV “ May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, ” Colossians 1:11 ESV

If you have never experienced the gift of salvation and freedom from sin that is freely offered through Jesus Christ, I urge you to consider taking that step today. I promise, it will be the most important decision you can ever make. Today, you can break free from the chains that bind you and enter into freedom that can only be found in Christ Jesus.

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10 NIV

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/kevron2001

Jennifer Jabbour resides in the scenic San Diego countryside with her husband, adult son, and teen daughter, and their hilarious English Bulldog. Jennifer has a B.A. in Integrated Business Communications, and is a Go + Tell Gals licensed life coach. Jennifer hopes to use her calling of writing, coaching, and speaking to equip and empower women to clarify their vision and to boldly step forward in response to God's calling on their life, as well as educate and encourage others to experience the abundance of God's goodness when they seek Him first in all that they do. Jennifer is also a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a photographer, and an avid outdoors-woman. She loves camping, hiking, running, and playing the piano in her free time.

You can keep up with Jennifer on her website https://www.jenniferjabbour. com .

6 Words That Can Open Incredible Opportunities for the Gospel

Editor's Picks

7 Reasons Christians Should Actively Care about the Environment

Popular Today

Is the War in Israel a Sign of the End Times?

Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Crosswalk App
California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information
California - CCPA Notice

Back to lcms.org
The Lutheran Witness
Lutherans Engage
Youth E-Source
Event Calendar
International Mission
MDFL Resource Center

Martin Luther’s ‘On the Freedom of a Christian’

Post author: The LCMS
Post published: March 20, 2016
Post category: History

by Rev. Travis Loeslie

Martin Luther had much to say on the topic of Christian freedom in his tract from 1520. On the Freedom of the Christian was published in Wittenberg as the third of three writings that characterized the evangelical theology of the Reformation. The Roman Curia had issued the bull Exsurge Domine on June 15, 1520 in which Luther was threatened to be charged as a heretic and ordered to halt his preaching. This opened him up to the possibility of arrest and punishment. Luther responded with a fury of activity. To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation was published on August 18, 1520. The Babylonian Captivity of the Church was published on October 6, and On the Freedom of the Christian was put out early in November of 1520. This third tract was written to attempt to persuade Pope Leo X and Roman Catholics that the theology of the Reformation was not a novelty in the faith, but a pure confession of the Word of God and consistent with the truth of the Holy Scriptures. Out of this affliction and the Lord’s refining fire, Luther was given to write one of the most enduring treatments on Christian freedom ever in Christendom.

The tract begins with two seemingly contradictory propositions:

A Christian is an utterly free man, lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is an utterly dutiful man, servant of all, subject to all. [1]

Among the ancients, Aristotle stated the obvious about lords and servants: “If there is a lord, then there is (also) a servant. And if there is a servant, then there is also a lord.” [2] Luther’s paradoxical teaching of Christian freedom, following Christ and St. Paul, joins lord and servant in one person . By faith alone, God sets a man utterly, completely, free in Christ. He is lord of all, subject to none. Love binds him as an utterly dutiful servant to the neighbor, subject to everyone. The paradox of Christian freedom then plays out in faith and love.

Luther sees all things in Christ, His person and work as He applies His saving effects to the Christian. Luther summarizes this tight connection of Christ and the Christian’s freedom in the introduction:

“…in I Cor. 9 [:19], ‘For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all,’ and in Rom. 13[:8], ‘Owe no one anything, except to love one another.’ Love by its very nature is ready to serve and be subject to him who is loved. So Christ, although He was Lord of all, was ‘born of woman, born under the law’ [Gal. 4:4], and therefore was at the same time a free man and servant, ‘in the form of God’ and ‘of a servant.’ [Phil. 2:6-7].” [3]

As utterly free as Christ was, He also bound Himself under the law to serve His creatures and win their salvation. Christ’s salvific example becomes the form of Christian freedom.

Luther considers freedom first as it relates to the inner man. The inner man becomes righteous, free, and a pious Christian in Christ. The Word does it all. As Luther emphasizes:

“One thing, and only one thing, is necessary for Christian life, righteousness, and freedom. That one thing is the most holy Word of God, the gospel of Christ, as Christ says in John 11[:25], ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live’; as John 8[:36], ‘So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed’; and Matt. 4[:4], ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'” [4]

Luther specifies which Word he means: “The Word is the gospel of God concerning his Son, who was made flesh, suffered, rose from the dead, and was glorified through the Spirit who sanctifies.” [5] What a comfort this Gospel brings with it! By faith alone the Christian receives all that Christ gives. “Faith alone is the saving and efficacious use of the Word of God, according to Rom. 10[:9]: ‘If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.'” [6] A man is “justified by faith alone and not any works; for if it could be justified by anything else, it would not need the Word, and consequently it would not need faith.” [7]

Later in the tract, Dr. Luther considers the outer man. Are Christians content to be saved by faith alone, and not do any works? Is Luther’s liberty a liberty of ease? Luther answers the charge of his Roman Catholic opponents: “…not so, you wicked men, not so. That would be indeed proper if we were wholly inner and perfectly spiritual men. But such we shall be only at the last day, the day of the resurrection of the dead. As long as we live in the flesh we only begin to make some progress in that which shall be perfected in the future life.” [8]

Insofar as man is “a servant, he does all kinds of works.” [9] Man must learn self-control and have dealings with others in this life.

“Here the works begin: here a man cannot enjoy leisure; here he must indeed take care to discipline his body by fastings, watchings, labors, and other reasonable discipline and subject it to the Spirit so that it will obey and conform to the inner man and faith and not revolt against faith and hinder the inner man, as it is the nature of the body to do if not held in check. The inner man, who by faith is created in the image of God, is both joyful and happy because of Christ in whom are so many benefits are conferred on him; and therefore it is the occupation to serve God joyfully and without thought of gain, in love that is not constrained.” [10]

Luther’s tract on freedom has rightly been called: “the most perfect expression of Luther’s Reformation understanding of the mystery of Christ.” [11] As it goes with Christ, so it goes with the freedom of the Christian. The Freedom of the Christian is a confession of Christ in a nutshell. Christian freedom is a gift from Christ Himself, “For freedom Christ has set us free…” (Galatians 5:1). What Christ did to win salvation in His divine and human natures, He now gives to those who by baptism bear His name: Christian. God justifies the sinner by faith alone. The sinner is changed in inner and outer man after the likeness of Christ. The Christian is at once utterly free in faith and a servant to all in works of love. Christian life is lived between these twin poles of faith and love. This is the paradoxical Christian freedom as Luther taught the Church.

The Reverend Travis J. Loeslie is pastor of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie, MN.

[1] Author’s translation. The translation of W.A. Lambert and revision of Harold J. Grimm is contained in Martin Luther: Three Treatises and the American edition of Luther’s works: “A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all.” ( Three Treatises , (Fortress Press), 1970, 277). Luther’s Latin is best: “Christianus homo omnium dominus est liberrimus, nulli subiectus. Christianus homo omnium servus est officiosissimus, omnibus subiectus.” (WA VII:49). Luther’s German translation from the Weimar Edition: “Eyn Christen mensch ist eyn freuer herr ueber alle ding und niemandt unterthan. Eyn Christen mensch ist eyn dienstpar knecht aller ding und yderman unterthan.” (WA VII: 21).

[2] Aristotle, The Categories of Interpretation, 7 , trans. Harold P. Cook, LCL, 1962, 55; as cited in Juengel, “The Freedom of the Christian: Luther’s Significance for Contemporary Theology , trans. Roy A. Harrisville, (Augsburg Publishing House: Minneapolis), 1988, 47.

[3] Luther, Three Treatises, 278.

[4] Luther, Three Treatises, 279.

[5] Luther, Three Treatises, 280.

[6] Luther, Three Treatises, 280.

[7] Luther, Three Treatises, 280.

[8] Luther, Three Treatises, 294.

[9] Luther, Three Treatises, 294.

[10] Luther, Three Treatises, 294-295.

[11] Mauer, Wilhelm, Von der Freiheit eines Christenmenschen: Zwei Untersuchungen zu Luthers Reformationsschriften 1520/21 (1949), pg. 25) as cited in E. Juengel, The Freedom of the Christian: Luther’s Significance for Contemporary Theology , 20.

Berkley Center

Christianity and freedom.

By: Roger Trigg

December 17, 2012

Discover similar content through these related topics and regions.

Christianity & Freedom: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

We're Hiring!
Help Center

St. Paul: Apostle of Freedom in Christ

In the Footsteps of Saint Paul. An Academic Symposium, HC Orthodox Press Boston 2011, 153-167

A presentation of the the Pauline understanding of freedom. A critique of the traditional modern biblical scholarship, underlining an internalized understanding of freedom (from the Law, from sin, from death), i.e. excluding liberation. In the first part the O.T. and the Greek, Hellenistic and Roman background of the notion of freedom is briefly presented, and the literary evidence, mainly from the Proto-Pauline letters, is examined. In the second part the arguments for an "open fellowship" and an "inclusive" character of the Eucharist in Paul, as well as the unconditional freedom, are presented, with the help of the social and cultural anthropological sciences.

Related Papers

The People of God in Bible and Tradition

Petros Vassiliadis

Α new understanding of the people of God in Bible beyond the traditional theories about two covenants and two ways of salvation for Israel and the Church, with the help of historico-critical and sociological analysis of the Antiochian insident anf Paul's visit to Arabia. My conclusion: Paul, who for centuries was seen in exclusive terms, i.e. as an “apostate” and enemy of Judaism, but now as a bridge between Judaism and Christianity, can also become “a bridge between all three monotheistic religions”, opening up the religious realm to all peoples of faith

ST VLADIMIR'S THEOLOGICAL QUARTERLY

Christos Karakolis

Kyle Potter

Explores the connection between Pauline language of Christians offering themselves as a "living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1-2) and his understanding of Christ as a sacrifice for sin.

Jonathan A Draper

This paper argues that the polemic in Gal 5 echoes key themes and concerns of Did. 1-6 and 16. This indicates that Paul was aware of the Two Ways catechesis whether in oral or written form and of its relationship to Torah, whatever the date of the final redaction of the Didache as a whole. The point of contestation, however, may relate as much to different understandings of eschatological hope in Paul and the Two Ways as to different interpretations of Torah.

Paula Fredriksen

Jeremiah Tuvilla

Jews and Christians: How to Write Their HistoryCRINT

Paul did not know and could not know what later generations, looking backward, did know: that the messiah would not return in his lifetime. That shortly after his death, Rome would destroy the temple in Jerusalem. That by the second century, a collection of his letters would give rise to gentile forms of Christianity that were independent of and hostile to Judaism. Paul lived his life innocent of the future. If we want to reconstruct his thought without anachronism, we must conjure that same innocence through a disciplined act of imagination, placing Paul within, not against, his native religious tradition.

Dialog: A Journal of Theology

Edgar Krentz

Problems with Atonement: The Origins of, and Controversy about, the Atonement Doctrine

Stephen Finlan

Looks at the Incarnation as foundational, and at atonement as an attempt to communicate the Incarnation. Examines sacrificial and scapegoat metaphors in the Apostle Paul, "noble death," and saving faith.

37 Bible Verses about Freedom, Through Jesus Christ

Most Relevant Verses

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;

“I am the Lord , I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations, To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who dwell in darkness from the prison.

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; read more. and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ.

“ The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me , Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor . He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives , And recovery of sight to the blind , To set free those who are oppressed , To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord .”

and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, “ The Deliverer will come from Zion , He will remove ungodliness from Jacob .”

“A Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” declares the Lord .

and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. read more. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.

He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? read more. Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. read more. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming,

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. read more. But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?

Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. read more. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

But no one can enter the strong man’s house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house.

rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’

who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.

yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—

so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!

rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you,

The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,

100 Bible Verses about Freedom In Christ

Galatians 5:1 esv / 661 helpful votes helpful not helpful.

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

John 8:36 ESV / 535 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV / 530 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Galatians 5:13 ESV / 496 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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.

John 8:32 ESV / 437 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Galatians 5:1-26 ESV / 283 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. ...

Romans 8:1-4 ESV / 259 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

1 Peter 2:16 ESV / 258 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

Romans 8:1-2 ESV / 247 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

Isaiah 61:1 ESV / 207 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:13-14 ESV / 205 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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.”

1 Corinthians 6:12 ESV / 194 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.

Galatians 2:20 ESV / 177 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Romans 6:22 ESV / 175 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.

Romans 14:1-23 ESV / 171 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. ...

Romans 8:21 ESV / 165 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

That the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

James 1:25 ESV / 156 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Luke 4:18 ESV / 145 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,

Ephesians 2:8 ESV / 136 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

Psalm 119:45 ESV / 131 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your precepts.

Galatians 4:3-7 ESV / 126 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Acts 13:38-39 ESV / 124 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.

Galatians 2:4 ESV / 122 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery—

Romans 8:1 ESV / 121 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:2 ESV / 109 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

Romans 13:8-10 ESV / 103 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Psalm 118:5 ESV / 103 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Out of my distress I called on the Lord ; the Lord answered me and set me free.

John 8:31-32 ESV / 99 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Hebrews 2:14-15 ESV / 84 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

Galatians 3:22 ESV / 83 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Luke 4:18-19 ESV / 79 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 3:12 ESV / 68 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV / 67 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Romans 6:15 ESV / 67 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!

John 3:16 ESV / 67 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

1 Corinthians 7:22 ESV / 65 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ.

1 Corinthians 10:23 ESV / 63 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.

John 14:6 ESV / 62 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Psalm 97:10 ESV / 60 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

O you who love the Lord , hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 68:6 ESV / 60 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

Psalm 79:9 ESV / 59 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name's sake!

Psalm 34:19 ESV / 59 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

Galatians 5:16 ESV / 58 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

1 Corinthians 8:1-13 ESV / 58 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— ...

John 16:13 ESV / 58 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

2 Peter 2:18-22 ESV / 57 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”

Romans 6:18 ESV / 57 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.

Romans 8:15 ESV / 56 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

John 3:16-17 ESV / 56 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 10:10 ESV / 55 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Romans 7:1-25 ESV / 53 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress. Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. ...

Colossians 1:22 ESV / 52 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

He has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

Galatians 3:23-29 ESV / 52 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ...

1 Corinthians 3:17 ESV / 50 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.

Psalm 119:1-145:21 ESV / 50 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord ! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! ...

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 49 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV / 49 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

1 Corinthians 6:1-12:31 ESV / 49 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, ...

Romans 6:23 ESV / 49 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Luke 4:1-18:43 ESV / 49 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, ...

Romans 6:11-22 ESV / 47 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! ...

Matthew 11:30 ESV / 47 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Galatians 5:18 ESV / 46 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV / 46 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 John 4:18 ESV / 45 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

Galatians 3:13 ESV / 45 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—

Romans 6:2 ESV / 44 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

John 8:2 ESV / 44 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them.

Psalm 91:14-15 ESV / 44 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.

Galatians 5:24 ESV / 43 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

1 Corinthians 16:13 ESV / 43 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

1 Corinthians 9:19 ESV / 43 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV / 42 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Romans 6:14 ESV / 42 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

John 17:17 ESV / 42 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

Psalm 119:1-176 ESV / 41 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 9:15 esv / 40 helpful votes helpful not helpful.

Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

Colossians 1:17 ESV / 40 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Acts 15:10 ESV / 40 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

Galatians 5:17 ESV / 39 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Romans 8:20-21 ESV / 39 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

Romans 8:9 ESV / 39 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

Matthew 23:4 ESV / 38 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.

Leviticus 19:18 ESV / 38 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord .

Galatians 5:26 ESV / 37 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 37 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

John 8:32-36 ESV / 36 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Acts 15:1-41 ESV / 35 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” ...

Galatians 4:1-31 ESV / 34 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. ...

1 Corinthians 8:9 ESV / 34 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

Romans 7:6 ESV / 34 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.

2 Peter 2:9 ESV / 33 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment,

Galatians 5:1-2 ESV / 33 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 33 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Galatians 5:14 ESV / 32 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

1 Corinthians 3:2 ESV / 32 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready,

Isaiah 61:1-2 ESV / 32 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord 's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;

Psalm 79:2 ESV / 32 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

They have given the bodies of your servants to the birds of the heavens for food, the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth.

Galatians 5:25 ESV / 31 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Psalm 34:3 ESV / 31 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!

Suggest a Verse

Enter a verse reference (e.g., john 3:16-17 ).

Visit the Bible online to search for words if you don’t know the specific passage your’re looking for.

Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License . All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles , a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com.

Rock Culture Influence on Jesus Christ Superstar

This essay about “Jesus Christ Superstar” explores how the rock opera, created by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, uniquely integrates rock culture and biblical narratives. It highlights the period’s cultural shifts and how the opera uses rock music to reinterpret Jesus Christ’s story, portraying him as a rock star and a revolutionary figure. The essay examines the opera’s influence on both audiences and broader cultural discussions, emphasizing its role in challenging traditional views on faith and authority through music and storytelling.

How it works

In the vivid world of theatrical wonders, “Jesus Christ Superstar” emerges as a standout piece, masterfully blending themes of rebellion and spirituality. Created by the brilliant duo Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, this rock opera merges the essences of counterculture and biblical stories into an engaging narrative that captivates and challenges its audience. This work is not only a theatrical feat but also a reflection of its times, combining rock culture and spiritual introspection to create a vibrant and resonant experience.

Exploring the impact of rock culture on “Jesus Christ Superstar” is like wandering through a rich landscape of cultural revolution and artistic zeal. The late 1960s and early 1970s were times of profound change, marked by dramatic shifts in music, politics, and societal norms. Rock music, in particular, became the voice of the disaffected, a powerful medium that expressed resistance and inspired a generation to question the established order.

Amidst this cultural ferment, Webber and Rice undertook a bold project: to recast the story of Jesus Christ through the dynamic lens of rock music. This choice tapped into the spirit of the time, utilizing the intense emotions and raw power of rock to revitalize a classic narrative. The creation, “Jesus Christ Superstar,” became an artistic milestone, breaking boundaries and captivating audiences with its innovative blend of the sacred and the secular.

At the heart of “Jesus Christ Superstar” is the portrayal of Jesus as a quintessential rock star, embodying charisma and the aura of a modern-day prophet. In tracks like “Hosanna” and “The Temple,” Jesus is a commanding figure, challenging corruption and injustice with the intensity of a revolutionary leader. His followers are depicted as passionate supporters, while his adversaries scheme against him with intense animosity.

However, the influence of rock culture is most evident in the opera’s music and lyrics. Drawing from rock legends like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, Webber’s compositions throb with life and urgency. From the rousing “Superstar” to the reflective “Gethsemane (I Only Want to Say),” the music underscores the opera’s capacity to bridge divides and resonate deeply with its audience.

“Jesus Christ Superstar” not only entertains but also provokes thought and dialogue about faith, authority, and human vulnerability. By reinterpreting the biblical tale through a modern viewpoint, the show challenges viewers to examine their own convictions and biases, engaging with profound moral and existential questions.

The rock culture’s impact on “Jesus Christ Superstar” goes beyond mere aesthetics—it signifies a major cultural moment, a daring statement in art that pushes against norms and defies easy classification. As a symbol of hope and unity, “Jesus Christ Superstar” exemplifies the power of music and narrative to bring people together, fostering a collective exploration of identity, faith, and the human condition.

In essence, the influence of rock culture on “Jesus Christ Superstar” exemplifies the power of artistic ingenuity and collaboration. It underscores the enduring significance of a timeless story, retold with fervor and intentionality. In a world seeking meaning and connection, “Jesus Christ Superstar” offers both, affirming the transformative potential of music, storytelling, and the human spirit in forging deeper understanding and empathy.

Cite this page

Rock Culture Influence On Jesus Christ Superstar. (2024, Apr 22). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/rock-culture-influence-on-jesus-christ-superstar/

"Rock Culture Influence On Jesus Christ Superstar." PapersOwl.com , 22 Apr 2024, https://papersowl.com/examples/rock-culture-influence-on-jesus-christ-superstar/

PapersOwl.com. (2024). Rock Culture Influence On Jesus Christ Superstar . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/rock-culture-influence-on-jesus-christ-superstar/ [Accessed: 23 Apr. 2024]

"Rock Culture Influence On Jesus Christ Superstar." PapersOwl.com, Apr 22, 2024. Accessed April 23, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/rock-culture-influence-on-jesus-christ-superstar/

"Rock Culture Influence On Jesus Christ Superstar," PapersOwl.com , 22-Apr-2024. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/rock-culture-influence-on-jesus-christ-superstar/. [Accessed: 23-Apr-2024]

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs.

Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+!

Please check your inbox.

You can order an original essay written according to your instructions.

Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

World Transformation Movement ™

www.HumanCondition.com

Choose option

Download or listen to the audio:.

Audio file (mp3) Listen on website Listen on Spotify

Print your own copy:

A4 PDF US Letter PDF

Download PDF:

Share this page:.

Make and see comments

Search all Freedom Essays:

Please note, links to all the Freedom Essays are included at the end of this essay. Open any essay to read , print , download , share or listen to (as an audio).

Freedom Essay 39

Christ explained

Written by Jeremy Griffith, 2017

In the previous Freedom Essay 38 the point was made that finding understanding of the human condition at last makes it possible to explain and demystify all mythology, including all the parables and stories in the Bible, as was demonstrated in that essay by explaining the Biblical story of Noah’s Ark And The Flood, and will be further demonstrated in the next essay, F. Essay 40 , which explains ‘Judgment Day’, ‘the Apocalypse’, ‘the battle of Armageddon’, the ‘Anti-Christ’, the ‘Messiah’ and the ‘second coming’. Of course, one of the most interesting and important demystifications of the contents of the Bible would be that of the prophets whose words created that most famous and revered of all books, and indeed, what is explained in FREEDOM does allow us to fully understand the prophets in the Bible, including the greatest of prophets, Abraham, Moses and Christ . Tellingly, one of the best-selling books of the twentieth century, Bruce Barton’s 1925 book about Christ, was actually titled The Man Nobody Knows , but now that we can explain the human condition (see THE Interview and Video/F. Essay 3 ) and acknowledge the process of Resignation (see F. Essay 30 ) we are finally in a position to explain and understand prophets like Christ. And what is revealed in FREEDOM is that they were not deities, or beings who came down from some ethereal realm surrounded by angels and empowered with mystical abilities to talk with a supernatural God living somewhere in the heavens — rather they were rare individuals who had the great good fortune of being sufficiently nurtured with unconditional love during their upbringing to not have to resign to living in denial of the human condition and could thus think truthfully and effectively about human behaviour.

Painting of ‘The Last Supper’ portraying the reaction of the apostles when Jesus said one of them would betray him by Leonardo da Vinci

The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, 1495–98

Indeed, regarding FREEDOM ’s demystification of Christ , a reviewer of the book wrote that ‘This is the best description of Christ I have ever read!’ (Jivka Foster on Facebook, see www.wtmsources.com/215 ) , but that’s not surprising given FREEDOM ’s human-condition-confronting ability to acknowledge the process of Resignation to living in denial of the human condition. As explained in F. Essay 30 (and in chapter 2:2 of FREEDOM ), having to resign to living in denial of the human condition destroyed people’s ability to think truthfully and effectively, and FREEDOM explains that prophets were simply rare individuals who were secure enough in self to avoid Resignation and easily confront and think about the human condition. As all these F. Essays make very clear, if you can’t confront the underlying issue in all of human life of the human condition, as resigned people can’t, you are in no position to make sense of human behaviour. Prophets’ extraordinary ability to interpret and predict human behaviour is due to their ability to think truthfully .

Detail of Plato from ‘The School of Athens’ by Sanzio Raphael, 1509-11

Plato, detail from The School of Athens by Raphael, 1509–11

Plato ’s clarity of insight into the human condition was so great that he too belongs in the same category as Abraham, Moses and Christ as being one of the greatest prophets in recorded history, and Plato himself understood perfectly how living in his metaphorical ‘cave’ of denial (see Video/F. Essay 11 ) rendered people incapable of thinking truthfully and thus effectively, writing that ‘when the soul [our instinctive orientation to cooperative, loving, Integrative Meaning — how we developed our loving instinctive orientation is explained in F. Essay 21 , and Integrative Meaning is explained in F. Essay 23 ] uses the instrumentality of the body [uses the body’s intellect with its preoccupation with denial of such fundamental truths as Integrative Meaning] for any inquiry…it is drawn away by the body into the realm of the variable, and loses its way and becomes confused and dizzy, as though it were fuddled [drunk] …But when it investigates by itself [free of intellectual denial] , it passes into the realm of the pure and everlasting and immortal and changeless, and being of a kindred nature, when it is once independent and free from interference, consorts with it always and strays no longer, but remains, in that realm of the absolute [Integrative Meaning] , constant and invariable’ ( Phaedo , c. 360 BC ; tr. H. Tredennick, 1954 , 79 ) . Plato also wrote that the ‘capacity [of a mind… to see clearly ] is innate in each man’s mind [we are born with an instinctive orientation to Integrative Meaning] , and that the faculty by which he learns is like an eye which cannot be turned from darkness [the state of living in denial] to light [the denial-free truth] unless the whole body is turned; in the same way the mind as a whole must be turned away from the world of change until it can bear to look straight at reality, and at the brightest of all realities which is what we call the Good [Integrative Meaning or God] ’ ( The Republic , c. 360 BC ; tr. H.D.P. Lee, 1955 , 518 ) . (see par. 679 of FREEDOM )

The previous F. Essay 38 revealed how, in his story of Noah’s Ark And The Flood , Moses ’ denial-free, honest, effective thinking mind was even able to acknowledge the process of Resignation itself, and its soul-deadening effects upon the human race. Of course, Moses’ power of insight didn’t stop there; he gave us the honest description of how the emergence of consciousness led to the corruption of humans in his Genesis story in the Bible of the banishment of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden of our species’ original cooperative and loving innocent state. And using the story of Cain and Abel , Moses recognised the fundamental truth that humanity has progressed from a state of innocence to a state of upset, and how, following the advent of agriculture, that progression eventually led to warfare. As described in par. 906 of FREEDOM , ‘Abel kept flocks [he lived the nomadic, hunter-forager-like life of a shepherd, staying close to nature and innocence] , and Cain worked the soil [he cultivated crops and domesticated animals and as a result was able to become settled and through greater interaction with other humans became increasingly upset] …Cain was [became] very angry, and his face was downcast [he became depressed about his upset state and so] …Cain attacked his [relatively innocent and thus unwittingly exposing, confronting and condemning] brother Abel and killed him’ (Gen. 4 : 2 , 5 , 8 ) . In fact, using stories like these and others, Moses was able to summarise the essential features of humanity’s entire journey from innocence to Resignation, through to the extremely upset state where humans began killing each other in wars.

Cain Slaying Abel by Albrecht Durer, 1511

Of more significance, however, than even these great insights about humanity’s journey from innocence to upset, was that Moses’ unresigned ability to confront the truth about the horrific extent and nature of humans’ corrupted condition motivated him to formulate a set of rules, the Ten Commandments , for humanity to live by to contain their out-of-control upset.

Statue of ‘Moses’ by Michelangelo, San Pietro in Vincoli, 1513-15

Moses by Michelangelo, 1513–15 (the horns were symbolic of having spoken with God)

What a phenomenally great denial-free, effective-thinking prophet Moses was! No wonder his first five books of the Bible form the fundamental teaching in three of the greatest religions on Earth: Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Early in the Old Testament of the Bible it says, ‘no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face’ (Deut. 34 : 10 ) . Moses was certainly someone who was able to ‘delight in the fear of the Lord’ (Bible, Isa. 11 : 3 ) ; he was someone who, unlike most people who are resigned, was able to confront the truth of Integrative Meaning that God is the personification of (see F. Essay 23 ). Moses himself described how ‘The Lord spoke to you [the Israelite nation] face to face out of the fire [as explained in pars 331-332 of FREEDOM , fire is a metaphor for the condemning, searing, painful truth of Integrative Meaning that was also used by Plato and appears in many mythologies] on the mountain. [This was only possible because] At that time I stood between the Lord and you to declare to you the word of the Lord, because you were afraid of the fire’ (Deut. 5 : 4 – 5 ) . Moses had an exceptional unresigned ability to mediate between the truth and all the denial that humans practise. (see par. 906 of FREEDOM ) (See F. Essay 53 for an analysis of Moses’s and Plato’s recognition of the fundamental elements of instinct and intellect in creating the human condition.)

Jacob was another unresigned Biblical prophet who was able to confront the truth of Integrative Meaning and the resulting dilemma of the human condition and survive, saying, ‘I have seen God face to face and yet I am still alive’ (Gen. 32 : 30 ) .

Abraham and the Three Angels by Josse Lieferinxe, c. 1500

In the case of Abraham , his unresigned ability to ‘walk before me [God] and be blameless’ (Gen. 17 : 1 ) and to be ‘blessed’ ‘in every way’ by God (Gen. 24 : 1 ) and to accept God as his ‘shield’ (Gen. 15 : 1 ) , and his resulting denial-free concern for humanity’s horrifically corrupted condition, led him to properly align humans from worshipping all manner of idols and multiple gods to worshipping the one true God, which we can now understand is Integrative Meaning. (Again, see F. Essay 23 .)

Abraham recognised that there is only one true God. God the Father , Sistine Chapel, by Michelangelo, c. 1512

Yes, like adolescents who haven’t yet resigned to living in denial of the immensely corrupt state of humans, and who, as a result, live in an overwhelmed state of distressed horror and concern about it , the great prophets of old like Abraham , Moses , Plato and Christ were very rare examples of extremely well nurtured and sound unresigned adults living during the last 11,000 years who could see how immensely corrupted the human race has become.

For example, Christ gave this extremely truthful, unresigned description of the mad-with-pain-and-anger, utterly dishonest and deluded resigned world that we have been living in: ‘O bitterness of the fire [psychological upset anger, egocentricity and alienation] that blazes in the bodies of men and in their marrow, kindling in them night and day, and burning the limbs of men and making their minds become drunk and their souls become deranged …Woe to you, captives, for you are bound in caverns [so this is another Plato-like reference to being imprisoned in a ‘cave’ of ‘darkness’ , and being ‘fuddled’ or drunk or] ! You laugh! In mad laughter you rejoice [pretend you’re happy and all is well when the truth is you’re overwhelmed with suffering and despair] ! You neither realize your perdition, nor do you reflect on your circumstances, nor have you understood that you dwell in darkness and death! On the contrary, you are drunk with the fire and full of bitterness. Your mind is deranged on account of the burning that is in you, and sweet to you are the poison and the blows of your enemies! And the darkness rose for you like the light, for you surrendered your freedom for servitude! You darkened your hearts and surrendered your thoughts to folly, and you filled your thoughts with the smoke of the fire that is in you! And your light has hidden in the cloud [of darkness] and the garment that is put upon you, you [pursued] [with deceit]. And you were seized by the hope that does not exist. And whom is it you have believed? Do you not know that you all dwell among those who [lie] [… and you boast] as though [you had hope]. You baptized your souls in the water of darkness! You walked by your own whims!’ This amazingly honest quote comes from the Book of Thomas , which is a recording of a conversation Christ had with one of his disciples called Thomas. (As an aside, I think it’s interesting that earlier in this conversation, when Christ says to Thomas ‘it has been said that you are my twin and true companion’ , I think Christ is referring to Thomas being one of the rare unresigned people like himself, and such a person would have been a ‘true companion’ in Christ’s lonely life of being able to see the corrupted state of humans and the need to do something about it.)

I might include these two other extremely honest, clearly unresigned descriptions of the true horror of the human condition. Firstly, from the young American heavy metal band With Life In Mind: ‘It scares me to death to think of what I have become…I feel so lost in this world’ , ‘Our innocence is lost’ , ‘I scream to the sky but my words get lost along the way. I can’t express all the hate that’s led me here and all the filth that swallows us whole. I don’t want to be part of all this insanity. Famine and death. Pestilence and war. A world shrouded in darkness…Fear is driven into our minds everywhere we look’ , ‘Trying so hard for a life with such little purpose…Lost in oblivion’ , ‘Everything you’ve been told has been a lie…We’ve all been asleep since the beginning of time. Why are we so scared to use our minds?’ , ‘Keep pretending; soon enough things will crumble to the ground…If they could only see the truth they would coil in disgust’ , ‘How do we save ourselves from this misery…So desperate for the answers…We’re straining on the last bit of hope we have left. No one hears our cries. And no one sees us screaming’ , ‘This is the end’ ( Grievances album, 2010 ) .

Secondly, the great Scottish psychiatrist R.D. Laing’s equally honest description of the resigned to living in denial of our horrifically corrupted, split-from-our-true-selves, soul-repressed, deeply alienated human condition: ‘Our alienation goes to the roots. The realization of this is the essential springboard for any serious [honest, effective] reflection on any aspect of present inter-human life…We are born into a world where alienation awaits us. We are potentially men, but are in an alienated state [p. 12 of 156 ] …the ordinary person is a shrivelled, desiccated fragment of what a person can be. As [resigned] adults, we have forgotten most of our childhood, not only its contents but its flavour; as men of the world, we hardly know of the existence of the inner world [p. 22 ] …The condition of alienation, of being asleep, of being unconscious, of being out of one’s mind, is the condition of the normal man [p. 24 ] …between us and It [our soul] there is a veil which is more like fifty feet of solid concrete. Deus absconditus [God has absconded] . Or [more precisely] we have absconded [from God/the soulful, cooperative, selfless and loving integrated state] [p. 118 ] …The outer divorced from any illumination from the inner is in a state of darkness . We are in an age of darkness. The state of outer darkness is a state of sin — i.e. alienation or estrangement from the inner light [p. 116] …We are all murderers and prostitutes…We are bemused and crazed creatures, strangers to our true selves, to one another’ [pp. 11 – 12 ] ( The Politics of Experience and The Bird of Paradise , 1967 ) . ‘We are dead, but think we are alive. We are asleep, but think we are awake. We are dreaming, but take our dreams to be reality. We are the halt, lame, blind, deaf, the sick. But we are doubly unconscious. We are so ill that we no longer feel ill, as in many terminal illnesses. We are mad, but have no insight [into the fact of our madness] ’ ( Self and Others , 1961 , p. 38 of 192 ) . ‘We are so out of touch with this realm [where the issue of our immensely corrupted human condition lies] that many people can now argue seriously that it does not exist’ ( The Politics of Experience and The Bird of Paradise , p. 105 ) .

In the case of the unresigned exceptionally sound and honest thinking prophets, being able to see the full horror of the extremely upset world of humans around them they realised there was an absolutely paramount need to do something about it . So Abraham gave us monotheism, a sound appreciation of the one great truth of Integrative Meaning that upset humans should try to respect and live in accordance with. And Moses formulated the Ten Commandments to help restrain everyone’s upset. And Plato gave philosophy, which the dictionary defines as ‘the study of the truths underlying all reality’ , in particular ‘the study’ of the all-important ‘underlying’ ‘truth’ of humans’ immensely corrupted condition, the best possible honest orientation and assistance (see Video/F. Essay 11 ).

To now look at what Christ did about the horrific suffering of humans that his unresigned, exceptionally sound mind could see. In the Gospel of Thomas (which is different to the Book of Thomas that I quoted from above), Christ gave this further description of his horror at the extent of the corruption in humans when he said, ‘I stood in the midst of the world and…found all men drunken [behaving in a deranged, mad way] …And my soul grieves over the sons of men, because they are blind in their heart, and see not [they are resigned to living in alienated denial of the truth of their horrifically corrupted condition] ’ (saying 28 ) . (Again, this is the same soul-sensitive, unresigned insight Plato had when, as mentioned earlier, he described resigned, ‘cave’ -dwelling humans as being ‘fuddled [drunk] ’ and unable ‘to see clearly’ .) ‘Griev [ing] over the sons of men, because they are blind in their heart, and see not’ , what Christ did to help the immensely psychologically upset human race was create a religion around his soundness for them to defer to and live through. That religion, which has more followers than any other, is Christianity (see par. 877 of FREEDOM ) . (I might mention that this call to action that Christ felt when he ‘stood in the midst of the world’ gone mad, was similar to the call to action the great prophet Isaiah felt when ‘the Lord’ , which is the great overarching truth of the integrative meaning of existence, in effect said to him, ‘“Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I [Isaiah] said, “Here am I. Send me!”’ (Isa. 6:8 ) .)

‘I stood in the midst of the world and…found all men drunken [deranged] ’ . Christ Carrying the Cross by Hieronymus Bosch, c. 1515

In a religion, rather than adhering to what your overly upset self wants to do and say, you put your faith in and lived through supporting the unresigned sensitivity, empathy, integrity and truth of a prophet’s life and words, a deferment that brings immense personal relief. As it says about Christianity in the New Testament of the Bible, ‘if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!’ ( 2 Cor. 5 : 17 ) . You were, in effect, ‘reborn’ from your corrupted condition. As it says in the Bible, ‘to fulfil what was said through the prophet Isaiah:…“ [that] the people living in darkness…those living in the land of the shadow of death [living in an extremely soul-exhausted, psychologically-upset, resigned, blocked-out-from-the-truth, alienated, Plato’s-cave-imprisoned condition] a light has dawned [an unresigned, sound, truthful, non-alienated, innocent, soulful, out-of-cave-living person has emerged] .” From that time on Jesus [that sound person] began to preach, “Repent” [acknowledge your corrupted condition and come and live through support of my truthful, sound world] ’ (Matt. 4 : 14 – 17 ) .

Detail from ‘The Return of the Prodigal Son’ by Rembrandt showing kneeling son embraced by father

‘Repent’ : detail from The Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt, c. 1661–69

(Unless otherwise specified, I have drawn the rest of the material in this essay, which I should mention expands on the brief explanation of religion provided in F. Essay 35 — and in its book version, Death by Dogma — from paragraphs 929–939 of my book FREEDOM .)

Thus, Christianity allowed overly upset, soul-dead humans to be ‘born again’ (John 3 : 3 ) , to having ‘crossed over from death to life’ (John 5 : 24 ) . As Christ authoritatively said about his upset-and-alienation-free, sound self, ‘I and the Father are one [I am not a soul-devastated, resigned, alienated person having to live in denial of Integrative Meaning and of the truth of the human race’s corrupted condition] ’ (John 10 : 30 ) ; ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father [into alignment with the integrated state] except through me’ (John 14 : 6 ) ; ‘if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father’ (John 8 : 16 ) [I think truthfully, effectively and confidently in a holistic, inductive way because I don’t live in a resigned, insecure, afraid, mechanistic, deductive, uncertain state of denial of such fundamental truths as Integrative Meaning and of the 2 -million-year corrupted state of the human condition — hence Christ ‘taught as one who had authority and not as their [mechanistic, reductionist, deductive, Plato’s-cave-dwelling, dishonest] teachers of the law’ (Matt. 8 : 29 ) , and was able to ‘get such learning without having studied [in the human-condition-avoiding, dishonest, mechanistic, reductionist, resigned world of denial] ’ (John 7 : 15 ) , indeed, he was able to ‘explain everything’ (John 4 : 25 ) ] ; and when accused of being a dangerously deluded megalomaniac c υ lt leader, ‘the prince of demons’ (Mark 3 : 22 ) , Christ pointed out, but how can ‘a bad tree bear good fruit [how could I be sound enough to confront and look into the human condition and ‘explain everything’ and yet be so unsound as to be a deluded megalomaniac, charlatan, misleader of people?] ’ (Matt. 7 : 18 ) ; ‘By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me [I am not a resigned, insecure, egocentric person, rather someone who follows what his Integrative-Meaning-acknowledging, truthful, unresigned mind says is right] ’ (John 5 : 30 ) ; ‘You are of this world; I am not of this world [I am not resigned and living in denial of truth] ’ (John 8 : 23 ) ; ‘Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say…The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God [living in a resigned state of denial of the human condition causes you to suffer from a ‘deaf effect’ where you’re unable to take in or ‘hear what I say’ about the horrifically corrupted state of the human condition (see The Great Guilt that causes the Deaf Effect and Video/F. Essay 11 )] ’ (John 8 : 43 – 47 ) ; ‘The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness [the Plato’s-cave-dwelling, human-condition-avoiding resigned] has not understood it’ (John 1 : 5 ) ; ‘I came into the world, to testify to the truth [to counter all the dishonest denial and provide a place of refuge from all that madness] ’ (John 18 : 37 ) ; ‘I have spoken openly to the world…I said nothing in secret [I haven’t been intimidated by all the dishonest denial that is being practised in the world] ’ (John 18 : 20 ) ; ‘The world…hates me because I testify that what it does is evil [I tell the truth about the 2 -million-year, soul-corrupted state of the human condition] ’ (John 7 : 7 ) ; ‘You are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word [no room for my unresigned truth] ’ (John 8 : 37 ) ; ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness [never have to live in a soul-destroyed and truth-denying corrupted state] , but will have the light of life’ (John 8 : 12 ) ; ‘I am the resurrection and the life [through me, your ideal, soulful true self can live again] ’ (John 11 : 25 ) ; and, ‘I have overcome the world [I have stood firmly by the truth and defied your world of denial, even under the threat of you being ‘ready to kill me’ for my honesty] ’ (John 16 : 33 ) . (With regard to the same attacks made upon myself [Jeremy Griffith] and the WTM for daring to confront and bring redeeming and healing understanding to the corrupted state of the human condition, see the Persecution of the WTM and F. Essay 56 , and also see F. Essay 54 : The accusation of hubris about the extraordinary claims being made about FREEDOM .)

‘You are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word.’ Christ with Mocking Soldier by Carl Bloch, c. 1872

Yes, Christ wasn’t a pseudo idealistic false prophet pretending to be a soft, sensitive and loving person, as pseudo idealists like to portray Christ as being in order to identify with him (pseudo idealism is explained in my booklet Death by Dogma: The biological reason why the Left is leading us to extinction, and the solution , which is also reproduced in F. Essay 35 ), rather he was a sound, strong person whose central talent was to defy all the dishonest, bullshit, denial coming from both the human-condition-avoiding mechanistic world, and deluded pseudo idealistic world — a point the prophet Kahlil Gibran was making when he wrote, ‘Humanity looks upon Jesus the Nazarene as a poor-born who suffered misery and humiliation with all of the weak. And He is pitied, for Humanity believes He was crucified painfully…And all that Humanity offers to Him is crying and wailing and lamentation. For centuries Humanity has been worshipping weakness in the person of the saviour. The Nazarene was not weak! He was strong and is strong! But the people refuse to heed the true meaning of strength. Jesus never lived a life of fear, nor did He die suffering or complaining…He lived as a leader; He was crucified as a crusader; He died with a heroism that frightened His killers and tormentors. Jesus was not a bird with broken wings; He was a raging tempest who broke all crooked wings. He feared not His persecutors nor His enemies. He suffered not before His killers. Free and brave and daring He was. He defied all despots and oppressors. He saw the contagious pustules and amputated them…He muted evil and He crushed Falsehood and He choked Treachery’ (‘The Crucified’, The Treasured Writings of Kahlil Gibran , 1951 , pp. 231 – 232 of 902 ) .

Jesus, Son of Man by Kahlil Gibran, c. 1928

So, like Moses, Christ was sound and secure enough in himself to fully confront and see the extent of the upset in the human race and, therefore, the extreme need for something to be done about it, which, in Christ’s case, led him to realise that he had to create a religion around his soundness. It was a vision and act of extreme clarity of thought and extraordinary strength of character , especially since there was no science in his day, no first-principle-based insights into the workings of our world, that would have allowed him to find reconciling explanations for all the truths about the corrupted human condition that he could see, which meant that all he could do was offer his soundness as a place for upset humans to align themselves with and by so doing derive some relief from the horror of their corrupted condition. It was also a vision of extraordinary strength of character because there were so many deluded false prophet charlatans misleading people and discrediting what Christ had to proclaim about himself for the sake of ensuring a future for the human race. Crucifixion was the price he had to pay for standing up so straight in a forest of bent and twisted timber. He literally had to offer his life so that corrupted humans would have a refuge where they could relieve their suffering — he had to be prepared to accept that ‘unless an ear of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed’ (John 12:24 ) , as he so immensely bravely described his situation! No wonder his message of salvation rose up after his death, which his ‘ resurrection ’ from the grave (see, for example, Luke 24 , ‘The Resurrection’) was actually the metaphorical or symbolic recognition of. What a phenomenal, almost beyond comprehension, prophet Christ was . Imagine the magnitude of what he was undertaking and then imagine how alone he must have felt not being able to share the weight of his task with those consumed with life in the everyday, messed up, self-preoccupied, resigned, dishonest world around him — as he lamented, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man [a sound expression of the integrated state that humans once lived in and could again align themselves with if he completed his mission] has no place to lay his head’ (Matt. 8 : 20 ) . (Incidentally, if the Thomas in the Book of Thomas is the same Thomas who doubted Christ rose from the dead (see John 20:24-25 ) (which some Biblical scholars think he may not be), then, being unresigned, as I suggested earlier the Thomas in the Book of Thomas was, he could have been relatively sound and so possibly wouldn’t have needed to believe in a supernatural resurrection of Christ like the other possibly resigned, more insecure, truth-evading disciples. He possibly didn’t need a non-confronting, truth-avoiding, symbolic way of believing that Christ’s message of salvation would be taken up or rise up after Christ’s crucifixion.)

‘standing up so straight in a forest of bent and twisted timber’ Christ Driving the Traders from the Temple by El Greco, c. 1600

(I might mention here that the so-called ‘ Trinity ’ of main influences or forces on Earth that many religions recognise can now be explained, with ‘God the Father ’ being Integrative Meaning, and ‘God the Son ’ and ‘ God the Holy Ghost or Spirit ’ being, respectively, the two great tools for developing integration or order, namely the gene-based and nerve-based learning systems that our instincts and conscious intellect represent. Since Christ was an exceptionally uncorrupted expression of our cooperative and loving moral instincts, he did represent ‘God the Son’, or ‘the Son of Man’ as he referred to himself in the quote in the above paragraph, and our intellect, particularly a Godly, Integrative-Meaning- acknowledging , inspired and guided intellect, is ‘God the Holy Ghost or Spirit’ (see par. 746 of FREEDOM ) . The English explorer and philosopher Bruce Chatwin acknowledged the unresigned soundness and sensitivity of Christ and also of the relatively innocent ‘races’ (see F. Essay 28 ) when he wrote these extraordinarily honest words: ‘There is no contradiction between the Theory of Evolution and belief in God [Integrative Meaning] and His Son [the uncorrupted expression of our original instinctive orientation to Integrative Meaning] on earth. If Christ were the perfect instinctual specimen — and we have every reason to believe He was — He must be the Son of God. By the same token, the First Man was also Christ’ ( What Am I Doing Here , 1989 , p. 65 of 367 ) . The great poet and artist William Blake was essentially making the same point when he wrote that ‘All [our distant ancestors] had originally one language, and one religion: this was the religion of Jesus, the everlasting Gospel. Antiquity preaches the Gospel of Jesus [the Gospel of original innocence] ’ ( Descriptive Catalogue , 1809 ). Yes, since the common dictionary definition of a ‘prophet’ is ‘someone who speaks for God’ and Christ was an exceptionally uncorrupted expression of our original instinctive self or soul’s orientation to Integrative Meaning, then Christ spoke for God; he was a prophet. In terms of being unresigned, Christ was certainly amongst ‘the firstborn from among the dead [resigned] ’ (Bible, Col. 1 : 18 ) (see par. 744 of FREEDOM ) . It should also be clarified that while Chatwin described Christ as ‘the perfect instinctual specimen’ , meaning he was free of upset, as a member of the completely innocent early Childman variety of humans would be, he obviously wasn’t. While he was exceptionally innocent and sound, he nevertheless was a member of extremely upset Homo sapiens sapiens . Prophets were only relatively innocent. For example, all the frustration and despair in modern humans was apparent when, as young men, Moses ‘killed the Egyptian’ he saw ‘beating a Hebrew’ (Exod. 2 : 11 – 12 ) , and Christ angrily ‘overturned the tables of the money-changers’ in the temple (Matt. 21 : 12 & Mark 11 : 15 ) . Moses’ and Christ’s relatively corrupted condition was also apparent when they found they had to fast for ‘forty days and forty nights’ (Deut. 9 : 9 & Matt. 4 : 2 ) to break up the alienation in their minds and gain the deep access to their all-sensitive souls that they needed in order to think completely truthfully and thus effectively. (see par. 877 of FREEDOM ) )

Drawing by Jeremy Griffith of Jesus Christ

Jeremy Griffith’s 2004 drawing of Jesus Christ as the ‘lamb of God’ (John 1 : 29 , 36 ), someone exceptionally innocent, free, centred, secure and natural.

It is little wonder then that Christ is considered ‘the most famous man in the world’ ( Jesus Revealed , National Geographic Channel, 2009 ) , and that most of the world dates its existence around his life, as either BC or AD , ‘Before Christ’ or ‘Anno Domini’, which translates as ‘in the year of our Lord’, referring to the year of Christ’s birth. This essay captures the marvel of Christ: ‘Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never set foot inside a big city. He never travelled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself. While still a young man, the tide of public opinion turned against Him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him; another betrayed Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth — His coat. When He was dead, He was placed in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend. Nineteen long centuries have come and gone, and today He is the central figure of the human race and the leader of the column of progress. I am far within my mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever sailed, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of Man upon this earth as powerfully as has the One Solitary Life!’ (‘One Solitary Life’, an essay adapted from a sermon by Dr James Allan Francis titled ‘Arise Sir Knight’, The Real Jesus and Other Sermons , 1926 , pp. 123 – 124 ) . (see pars 615 & 930 of FREEDOM )

Map showing global population of Christians as at 2012

Percent of population that is Christian as at 2012

Yes, as my headmaster when I was at Geelong Grammar School, Sir James Darling, wrote, Christ’s life ‘was incalculably the most important event in human history, as we understand it, up to the present’ ( The Education of a Civilized Man , 1962 , p. 206 of 223 ) .

Since religions have been marvellous ways for humans to save themselves from living in a horrifically upset angry, egocentric and alienated state, the criticism that could be levelled at someone extremely upset, like Genghis Khan or Adolf Hitler, is that they didn’t take up religion. Or, if they did claim to be religious, they weren’t being genuinely religious, genuinely deferring to one of the great prophets religions have been founded around and, by so doing, becoming part of the prophets’ world of soundness and love. Indeed, for the exceptionally upset, the aspect of religion that made it so superior to Moses’ strategy of imposed discipline, which his Ten Commandments represented, is precisely that it allowed you to delude yourself that you were being ‘born again’ , ‘resurrect [ed] ’ from your corrupted state. Rather than having good behaviour forced upon you through fear of punishment, as was the case with the imposed discipline of the Ten Commandments, religion allowed you to feel that not only were you actively participating in goodness, you had actually become a good, selfless, loving, ideal person — that you were ‘righteous’ — which provided immense relief from the guilt of being overly upset. The apostle St Paul gave what was possibly the best sales pitch for born-again Christian life when he wrote, ‘Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone [Moses’ Ten Commandments that were enforced by the threat of punishment] , came with glory [because they brought society back from the brink of destruction] …fading though it was [there was no sustaining positive in having discipline imposed on you] , will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory . And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!’ (Bible, 2 Cor. 3 : 7 – 11 ) . (See F. Essay 33 for an analysis of St Paul’s conversion experience.)

The Ecstasy of Saint Paul by Nicolas Poussin, 1643

Thus, in coping with the now raging levels of upset in humans, the first ‘glorious’ improvement on destructively living out that ferocious upset was Imposed Discipline , which was enforced through fear and punishment. But since discipline provided little in the way of joy or inspiration for the mind or ‘spirit’ it was hard to maintain, it didn’t ‘last’ , it was ‘fading’ , especially in comparison to the immensely guilt-relieving, ‘righteous’ , ‘do good in order to make yourself feel good’ way of living offered by that next ‘surpassing glory’ of religion.

In this transition, it is obvious that the ‘do good in order to delude yourself that you actually are a kind, loving, selfless, good person and not horrifically corrupted’ aspect of religion was very important, which means that only being indirectly honest about being extremely corrupted when you became religious was key to the effectiveness of religion — because if you had to be directly honest about being horribly corrupted you couldn’t possibly delude yourself you were actually a kind, loving, selfless, good, not-horribly-corrupted person. This ability to not just feel good (because you were now behaving in a good way and not in the incredibly destructive way you had been), but to use this fact to delude yourself you were actually a loving, kind, selfless, good, upset-free, ideal, guilt-free, human-condition-solved, ‘righteous’ person depended on this aspect of only indirectly acknowledging your corrupted state. So although in taking up religion you were being indirectly honest about being corrupted, you were still relying on being able to delude yourself that you weren’t corrupted. In short, religions allowed people to admit to being horribly corrupted without having to suffer the confronting consequences of making such an admission . So just as humans could not directly acknowledge their corrupted state (because without the explanation of the human condition they couldn’t defend and thus cope with that truth), religions similarly depended on not directly acknowledging/recognising the soundness of the prophet around whom the religion was founded , even though acknowledging/recognising his soundness was an intrinsic part of the honesty that made religions so special and effective. Religions depended on not recognising — at least consciously, explicitly recognising — that prophets were simply a sound variety of ordinary people, because that truth would directly confront their followers with the unbearable truth of their own lack of soundness. Instead, at least at the surface level of their conscious awareness, religious adherents viewed their prophets as being supernatural, divine, heavenly, from-another-world beings, because that way they could avoid any comparison with themselves. In fact, as is described in F. Essay 35 (and its book version, Death by Dogma ) the more upset and insecure the religious person, the more fundamentalist/literal/superficial they had to be in their interpretations of religious scripture and the prophet himself — because too much honesty was impossibly confronting.

Christ Healing the Paralytic by Sir Anthony van Dyck, 1619

A good example of how religions depended on not directly acknowledging the soundness of the prophet it was founded around, because it would be unbearably confronting of the truth of the adherents’ lack of soundness, is that Christ was said to have performed supernatural feats or ‘ miracles ’, such as his supposed ability to miraculously heal people. But with the human condition now understood, we can actually safely explain and demystify such ‘miracles’. While the uncorrupted soundness of Christ and the denial-free, unresigned words he spoke could be extremely confronting, it could also centre people and make them whole and well — it could release them from their psychosis, from their crippled state of living in disconnected denial of their soul. And, as physicians are increasingly recognising, many, if not most, physical ailments are psychosomatic or soul-distressed in origin. Now that we can safely admit that humans’ original instinctive state was one of living in a psychologically secure, happy and loving state, we can understand exactly what Christ meant when he said, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest…for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light’ (Bible, Matt. 11 : 28 – 30 ) . Christ obviously experienced a childhood that was extraordinarily well nurtured with unconditional love, which his alienation-free, sound, innocent, symbolically ‘ virgin mother ’ (see Matt. 1 : 23 & Luke 1 : 26 – 34 ) provides recognition of (this, incidentally, is another example of how the Bible contains all the truth about human life, this time recognising that, as is explained in F. Essay 21 , nurturing is what made us human). Such an alienation-free, nurtured upbringing is why Christ wasn’t ‘weary and burdened’ by the human condition and his ‘yoke’ was ‘easy’ and his ‘burden’ ‘light’ — he was still able to fully access all the love and security of our original instinctive soul’s world, which meant he and his words were immensely realigning and reassuring for soul-destroyed, human-condition-afflicted, soul-repressed and soul-disconnected resigned humans.

Jeremy Griffith’s drawing of a mother lovingly looking at and cradling their infant illustrating the archetypal image of Madonna

Jeremy Griffith’s 2006 tender drawing of the archetypal image of the Madonna and child. Jeremy has said about the image of the Madonna and child: “That this image is such a feature of Christian mythology is powerful recognition that it was the relatively alienation-free unconditional love Christ received from his mother that enabled him to be the exceptional denial-free thinking prophet that he was. When the great Scottish psychiatrist R.D. Laing wrote that ‘Each child is a new beginning, a potential prophet’ ( The Politics of Experience and The Bird of Paradise , 1967 ) he was recognising how much the upset, alienated world of humans today has corrupted our all-loving and all-sensitive true self or soul. As the great playwright Samuel Beckett said about the brevity of innocence in the lives of most humans now: ‘They give birth astride of a grave, the light gleams an instant, then it’s night once more’ ( Waiting for Godot , 1955 ) !”

Further, Christ’s unevasiveness allowed him to see through people’s denials and think truthfully and effectively about their situation — like the woman who had spoken to Christ at a well and later said to her townspeople, ‘Come see a man who told me everything I ever did’ (John 4 : 29 ) . Christ could see into the human condition, and his ability to do so meant he could see where and why people were ‘lost’ or alienated. He could ‘understand’ them, not in terms of a first principle-based explanation of their condition — because in Christ’s time there was no first principle scientific knowledge with which to explain the human condition — but in terms of being able to see into their situation, and this ‘understanding’ or appreciation represented true or pure love or compassion. To quote a reference to the work of psychoanalyst Carl Jung : ‘…Jung’s statement that the schizophrenic ceases to be schizophrenic when he meets someone by whom he feels understood. When this happens most of the bizarrerie which is taken as the “signs” of the “disease” simply evaporates’ (R.D. Laing, The Divided Self , 1960 , p. 165 of 218 ) . The word ‘ holy ’, so often used to describe these great prophets, has the same origins as the Saxon word ‘whole’, which means ‘well, entire, intact’, and is thus a recognition of the prophets’ wholeness or soundness or lack of separation or alienation from our species’ sound, innocent, all-loving and all-sensitive original natural state.’ Dictionaries similarly inform us that the word ‘healing’ is also derived from the word ‘whole’. Also, the circular glow of light or ‘ halo ’ often drawn around the heads of religious prophets was another indicator of their soulful purity, innocence, soundness and holiness. Yes, the wholeness or soundness or lack of alienation of prophets is why prophets were considered holy and it is also why they were able to heal. So labelling Christ’s ability to realign people with the true world as a ‘miracle’ protected upset humans from having to admit to Christ’s soundness or innocence and, by inference, their lack of soundness or innocence.

Jesus Walking on the Water , a literal interpretation of the parable by the Church of Latter-Day Saints

Not surprisingly then, instances of other supposed ‘miracles’ abound — consider, for example, the ‘feeding the multitude with loaves and fishes’ and ‘walking on water’ supernatural feats that supposedly took place when Christ spoke to a large gathering of people. Being unresigned, the penetrating truthfulness of what Christ had to say would have astonished the resigned minds of those listening. Christ was able to venture out into what the resigned mind knew as a terrifyingly dangerous minefield and, as it were, do somersaults and run and skip around out there — grapple with the human condition with impunity. As such, it would have been such a mesmerising experience listening to Christ that even though the resigned mind would have soon afterwards begun to block out all the truths that were being brought to the surface as it realised their confronting implications, the listeners would have been so astonished and enthralled that their hunger after such a long talk would have been satisfied with the distribution of what little pooled food there was available. Later, however, after the event and unable to acknowledge the astonishing truth about what had really taken place, the resigned mind would have had to have found an evasive way of recognising the extraordinary nature of the occasion — which, in this instance, was achieved by saying, ‘I remember a miracle where a few fish and some loaves of bread fed a mass of people.’ Similarly, so overwhelmed would the audience have been by having so much truth emanate from someone, that, years later, some would evasively recall the impact of what happened by saying that, when Christ finally departed at dusk and walked out through the shallows of the lake to his disciples who were waiting in a boat to transport him back across the lake, he had ‘walked on water’! The comedian Spike Milligan spoke the truth about Christ’s miracles when he said: ‘They made him do miracles…“Loaves and fishes, loaves and fishes, just like that!” This isn’t indicative of the man. What he said and preached was enough. Why did he have to raise the dead? Did that make him holier? These are post-Jesus Christ PR stunts, raising the dead, walking on water. I find it an insult to the dignity of the man. I’ve written to The Catholic Herald about this. The outraged letters I’ve got! I said the Turin Shroud was a load of shit, I’ve said it for 15 years. Jesus Christ didn’t need to do tricks’ ( Bulletin mag. 26 Dec. 1989 ) .

Spike Milligan being interviewd on Parkinson One to One (1987)

Spike Milligan ( 1918–2002 )

Yes, under the duress of the human condition, the effectiveness of religion depended on not directly recognising the soundness of the prophet around whom your specific religion was founded, because that would make the truth of your lack of soundness unbearably confronting, and obviously make it impossible to delude yourself that you had become a kind, loving, selfless, ‘righteous’ , good, not-horribly-corrupted person — even though the recognition you were giving to the prophet was in itself an indirect acknowledgment of your corrupted condition. So religion involved maintaining a very delicate balance of delusion and honesty, for while it offered a way of only being implicitly honest about the corrupted state, its very existence depended on its adherents making at least a subconsciously relieving, honest acknowledgment of their own corrupted state, and on observers making at least, on a similarly subconscious level, a relieving, truthful recognition of that corruption; it was this honesty that made religions so special and effective. On the surface of conscious awareness, however, each individual adherent also depended on being able to maintain their facade and delusions about being an upset-free, ‘righteous’ person, which meant there was still a great deal of dishonesty involved in religion.

The cartoon series The Simpsons actually provides a wonderful illustration of the subtleties involved in religion. In the series, Ned Flanders is the born-again religious character who is typically portrayed as having a self-satisfied, ‘I-occupy-the-moral-high-ground’ attitude over the still-human-condition-embroiled Homer Simpson. Ned’s posturing drives Homer crazy with frustration because Homer intuitively knows Ned is deluding himself in thinking his Christianity gives him the moral high ground — that he is the more together, sound person and is on the right track — but Homer can’t explain why Ned is so extremely deluded and totally dishonest in his view of self. Homer can’t explain and thus reveal the truth that real idealism and the truly on track, moral high ground lay with continuing humanity’s upsetting battle to find knowledge, and that Ned had become so upset, so unsound, that he had to abandon that all-important battle and leave it to others to continue to fight, including Homer. Worse, Ned’s pseudo idealistic , deluded abandonment of the battle meant that he has effectively sided against those still trying to win the battle, adding substantially to the opposition they had to overcome. (As mentioned, F. Essay 35 is the definitive presentation of how dangerous pseudo idealistic dogma has become, and is such a significant essay it has also been produced as the standalone booklet titled Death by Dogma . F. Essay 36 explains how the legitimate transformation that is now possible is the only way to save Western civilisation from this danger.) But even Ned is intuitively aware that he is practising delusion and so has to work hard at maintaining it. Maintaining a delusion meant constantly persuading yourself, and others, that you are right. Stridency and fanaticism characterised the behaviour of those maintaining a delusion, especially when, in becoming religious for instance, you were practically admitting that you were being deluded about being a sound, together, on track person yourself by having had to defer to a sound prophet.

Ned Flanders from The Simpsons

In summary, the benefit of Imposed Discipline for the resigned, competitive way of living over the born-again, pseudo idealistic way of living was that it did not undermine a person’s participation in humanity’s great battle — it simply provided a means to manage the upset associated with that battle. However, since the religious born-again strategy both minimised the irresponsibility of abandoning the battle, and (despite the degree of delusion it still allowed) minimised the extreme denial involved in becoming born-again, it provided a marvellous way of coping with the by now extremely destructive and unbearable levels of upset and associated guilt that affected nearly the entire human race, and which Imposed Discipline could no longer contain. In fact, because of its degree of honesty and indirect support of the search for knowledge, religion has been by far the most special, the most wonderful form of pseudo idealism to ever be developed. Indeed, it was religion that saved humanity from destruction through the most difficult final stages of its journey to find the redeeming, first principle, scientific understanding of our corrupted condition. Christ acknowledged this ultimate goal of the journey when he looked forward to the time when ‘another Counsellor to be with you forever — the Spirit of truth [the denial-free, truthful, first-principle-based, scientific understanding] …will teach you all things and will remind you of everything [all the denial-free truths] I have said to you’ (John 14 : 16 , 17 , 26 ) . He similarly said he looked forward to when, instead of being restricted to ‘speaking figuratively’ , we ‘will no longer use this kind of language but will [be able to] tell you plainly about my Father [be able to explain the world of Integrative Meaning in denial-free, human-condition-reconciled, compassionate, understandable, rational, first principle, scientific terms] ’ (John 16 : 25 ) . (It should be pointed out that now that we can explain the incredibly important role religions have played in the human journey, we can see how obscenely arrogant and wrong religion/truth-haters have been , when, for instance, people like Oxford University’s Professor of Public Understanding of Science, Richard Dawkins, have said that ‘“Faith is one of the world’s great evils, comparable to the smallpox virus, but harder to eradicate. The whole subject of God is a bore”…those who teach religion to small children are guilty of “child abuse”’ (‘The Final Blow to God’, The Spectator , 20 Feb. 1999 ) ; and when E.O. Wilson, that quintessential exponent of dishonest, human-condition-avoiding mechanistic science (see Video/F. Essay 14 & F. Essay 40 ), said that ‘What’s dragging us down is religious faith…I would say that for the sake of human progress, the best thing we could possibly do would be to diminish, to the point of eliminating, religious faith’ (‘Don’t let Earth’s tapestry unravel’, New Scientist , 24 Jan. 2015 ) .)

Richard Dawkins wearing a black t-shirt with the slogan ‘RELIGION - Together we can find the cure’

Richard Dawkins’ arrogant dismissal of religion’s contribution to humanity’s journey to find understanding

However, while religion did save the human race, at the very end of our species’ journey through ignorance other forms of pseudo idealism evolved that have very nearly destroyed humanity . As was described in F. Essay 35 ( and its book version, Death by Dogma ), these were, progressively, the development of communism or socialism , then the New Age movement , then the Feminist movement , then the Environment or Green movement , then the Politically Correct and Postmodern Deconstructionist movements , and, most recently, ‘Critical Theory’ and its associated ‘Critical Race Theory’ and ‘Critical Gender Theory’ movements . How precious then is it that understanding of the human condition has been found and this terrifying imminent prospect of the death-by-dogma end of the human race has been avoided. (See also F. Essay 55 : Endgame for the human race .) FINALLY, AS DESCRIBED IN F. ESSAYS 15 AND 36 , WITH THE FINDING OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE HUMAN CONDITION, THE INEFFECTUAL, DELUDED, PSEUDO IDEALISTIC ESCAPE FROM OUR TROUBLED CONDITION IS ABLE TO BE REPLACED BY THE REAL TRANSFORMATION OF HUMANS .

Collage of images representing religion, communism, new age, gender equality, environmentalism and post-modernism

F. Essay 35 and its book version, Death by Dogma , describe the progression that has taken place over the last 200 years to increasingly dishonest, escapist, deluded and dangerous forms of pseudo idealism

So, the very great denial-free thinking prophets in recorded history, namely Abraham, Moses, Plato and Christ, made the most important contributions to humanity’s great journey to enlightenment. Abraham contributed monotheism to the human journey. Moses gave humanity the most effective form of Imposed Discipline for containing the ever-increasing levels of upset in humans of the Ten Commandments. Christ gave humanity the soundest and thus most effective corruption-and-denial-countering religion. And Plato gave philosophy the best possible orientation and assistance. So we could say that ‘the beauty and taste of roses, rice, potato and a leg of lamb — Moses, Christ, Plato and Abraham — saved the human race’!!

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

On this note, we will end this essay with William Wordsworth’s great poem Intimations of Immortality (see F. Essay 31 ), in which he described prophets as the ‘Eye among the blind’: ‘Thou best Philosopher, who yet dost keep / Thy heritage, thou Eye among the blind / That, deaf and silent, read’st the eternal deep / Haunted for ever by the eternal mind / Mighty Prophet! Seer blest! / On whom those truths do rest / Which we are toiling all our lives to find / In [resigned] darkness lost, the darkness of the grave.’

Watch Jeremy Griffith present the breakthrough redeeming explanation of the human condition in THE Interview ; for a fuller explanation read chapter 3 of FREEDOM ; and for a summary presentation of the key ‘instinct vs intellect’ explanation watch Video/F. Essay 3 . In fact, through doing so, the reader will be able to see from Jeremy’s incredible ability to completely understand and explain the lives of the great prophets (even to have drawn Christ possibly more accurately than has ever been done!), and most amazingly of all, to have reached the pinnacle of truthful thinking by synthesising the human-race-saving explanation of the human condition, how great a prophet he also is.

Portrait photograph of Jeremy Griffith, Sydney, 2013

Jeremy Griffith, Sydney, Australia, November 2013

WTM founding member Tony Gowing with his version of Jeremy’s ‘beauty and taste’ poem

Discussion or comment on this essay is welcomed — see below.

Please Note , if you are online you can read, print, download or listen to (as a podcast) THE Interview , The Great Guilt , The Great Transformation or any of the following Freedom Essays by clicking on them , or you can find them all at www.humancondition.com .

INTRODUCTION TO THE EXPLANATION & RESOLUTION OF THE HUMAN CONDITION: THE Interview That Solves The Human Condition And Saves The World! | The Great Guilt that causes the Deaf Effect | The Great Transformation : How understanding the human condition actually transforms the human race | Freedom Essay 1 Your block to the most wonderful of all gifts | 2 The false ‘savage instincts’ excuse | 3 THE EXPLANATION of the human condition | 4 The ‘instinct vs intellect’ explanation is obvious – short | 5 The transformation of the human race | 6 Wonderfully illuminating interview | 7 Praise from Prof. Prosen | 8 “How this ends racism forever” | 9 “This is the real liberation of women” | 10 What exactly is the human condition? | 11 The difficulty of reading FREEDOM and the solution | 12 One hour summarising talk | 13 The WTM Deaf Effect Course | 14 Dishonest biology leads to human extinction | 15 How your life can immediately be transformed | 16 The Shock Of Change | THE BOOKS: 17 Commendations & WTM Centres | 18 FREEDOM chapter synopses | 19 FREEDOM ’s significance by Prof. Prosen | 20 The genius of Transform Your Life | THE OTHER KEY BIOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS: 21 How did we humans acquire our altruistic moral conscience? | 22 Fossil discoveries evidence our nurtured origins | 23 Integrative Meaning or ‘God’ | 24 How did consciousness emerge in humans? | 25 The truthful biology of life | • Survey seeking feedback | MEN & WOMEN RECONCILED: 26 Men and women reconciled | 27 Human sex and relationships explained | THE END OF RACISM: 28 The end of racism | 29 Can conflict ever end? | RESIGNATION: 30 Resignation | 31 Wordsworth’s all-revealing great poem | MORE ON THE TRANSFORMATION: 32 More on the Transformation | 33 Jeremy on how to become transformed | THE END OF POLITICS: 34 This understanding ends the polarised world of politics | 35 Death by Dogma left-wing threat | 36 Saving Western civilisation from left-wing dogma | 37 The meaning of superhero and disaster films | RELIGION DECIPHERED: 38 Noah’s Ark explained | 39 Christ explained | 40 Judgment Day finally explained | 41 Science’s scorn of religion | MEANING OF ART & CULTURE: 42 Cave paintings | 43 Ceremonial masks explained | 44 Art makes the invisible visible | • Second survey seeking feedback | 45 Prophetic songs | 46 Anne Frank’s faith in human goodness fulfilled | 47 Humour and swearing explained | 48 R.D. Laing’s fearless honesty | ABOUT BIOLOGIST JEREMY GRIFFITH: 49 Jeremy’s biography | 50 Australia’s role | 51 Sir Laurens van der Post’s fabulous vision | 52 Jeremy’s children’s book A Perfect Life | 53 The ‘instinct vs intellect’ explanation is obvious – long | 54 The accusation of hubris | DO WE FAIL OR DO WE MAKE IT? 55 Endgame for the human race | 56 Why there have been ferocious attacks on the WTM | 57 Magnificence of the Transformed State – video 1 | 58 Magnificence of the Transformed State – video 2 | MARKETING: 59 Shouldn’t the WTM’s website be toned down? | 60 The crime of ‘ships at sea’ ‘pocketing the win’ | GENERAL DISCUSSIONS BY JEREMY: 61 General Discussion by Jeremy Aug. 2018 | 62 Jeremy’s Masterpiece Presentation Feb. 2019 | HEALTH & HEALING: 63 Pseudo therapy/healing | 64 Real therapy/healing | From here on are Transformation Affirmations and More Good Info Emails

These essays were created in 2017 - 2024 by Jeremy Griffith, Damon Isherwood, Fiona Cullen-Ward , Brony FitzGerald & Lee Jones of the Sydney WTM Centre. All filming and editing of the videos was carried out by Sydney WTM members James Press & Tess Watson during 2017 - 2024 . Other members of the Sydney WTM Centre are responsible for the distribution and marketing of the videos/essays, and for providing subscriber support.

By clicking ‘Submit’ you confirm that you have read, understood and accept the WTM’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy . The WTM will only contact you in relation to this enquiry and will manage all personal information in accordance with its Privacy Policy.

Please note, to ensure constructive discussion we moderate comments (which may take some hours) and may not publish any we feel are motivated by malice, or that make criticisms already addressed and repudiated, or ask questions already prominently answered on our comprehensive website with its many freely available books, essays and FAQs that can be easily searched electronically. Read our Community Guidelines here .

HumanCondition.com doesn't work properly without JavaScript enabled. Please go to your browser settings to enable it.

Supported by

Bucking Trump, Anti-Abortion Movement Shows Deep Roots in Arizona

Even as abortion rights ballot issues have had some striking successes, anti-abortion forces have stood firm in state legislatures like Arizona’s where they have deep convictions and positions of power.

Share full article

By Elizabeth Dias and Jack Healy

Reporting from Phoenix

Speaker Ben Toma walked off the floor of the Arizona House of Representatives, resolute — if stressed — after he cast the pivotal vote to again block an effort to repeal the state’s 1864 abortion ban.

He knew he was going against the wishes of top Republicans like former President Donald J. Trump, who had called on the Legislature to change the ban. He worried about political blowback to Republicans in the coming elections.

But Mr. Toma saw himself as upholding moral principles far more foundational than current politics, the past president or even the ban itself. Attempts to undercut it as “a Civil-War-era law” were “sort of ridiculous,” he said in an interview on Wednesday after the vote. He pointed to the Constitution and Bill of Rights — and the Bible.

“Even all of our laws are actually based on, what, the Ten Commandments, and the Book of Genesis, which are thousands of years ago,” he said. “The whole idea that we are equal in the sight of God, our maker, that we have unalienable rights, all that, that is all fundamentally a Christian worldview.”

This commitment to Arizona’s 1864 ban — a near-total ban that the State Supreme Court recently reinstated — underscores the power of conservative Christian abortion opponents in shaping American abortion laws, even as they represent a minority view. Despite a popular backlash against the Supreme Court’s decision overturning a constitutional right to abortion in 2022, anti-abortion forces have maintained a stronghold in many state legislatures, not only in deeply conservative states like Alabama, but also closely divided ones like Arizona.

Backed by powerful local conservative lobbyists and activists, their hold illustrates a dynamic of a post-Roe v. Wade era: Even as they are losing political support from the top Republican in the country, Mr. Trump, they can stand firm in state legislatures that, because of the ruling striking down Roe, now have power to determine abortion law.

With the fight over the 1864 ban expected to continue consuming the Arizona Capitol in the week ahead, politicians and activists are clear about the biblical roots of their convictions. Mr. Toma, an immigrant from Romania, said his perspective on abortion was not simply shaped by religion but also by fleeing communism as a child and rejecting a “utilitarian” view of humanity. He is now a nondenominational Christian and said he came to his views through studying philosophy and bioethics in college.

“Not all the Republicans, obviously, agree on every issue, and this is one that we disagree on, and I happen to think that abortion is wrong,” he said. “It comes down to: What do I think is right? What is just? What is ethical? And I have made my decision. And I am not going to change my mind.”

Calculated anti-abortion politicking has deep roots in Arizona. The Alliance Defending Freedom, the now-powerful conservative Christian legal group that helped overturn Roe and is working to limit access to medication abortion, is based in Scottsdale. The firm started there in 1994, founded by a coalition of conservative Christian leaders including James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family.

But anti-abortion leaders are increasingly at odds with Mr. Trump, who built ties with them that helped usher him to power in 2016 but who now has openly attacked their uncompromising agenda amid growing political vulnerability.

A majority of Republican voters continue to oppose abortion. But the fight in Arizona reveals the fractures developing in the national and local Republican Party over abortion after the fall of Roe, and the urgency anti-abortion activists feel as the political foundation they relied on before Roe was overturned shifts.

The tension is evident in Mr. Toma’s own primary race for Congress, to fill an open seat left by the retiring Republican Representative Debbie Lesko, a longtime stalwart of the anti-abortion movement. In that crowded race, Mr. Trump has endorsed Abraham Hamadeh, who ran unsuccessfully for Arizona attorney general in 2022 and called the Arizona Supreme Court ruling upholding the 1864 law a political win for Democrats.

Groups like the Center for Arizona Policy and Arizona Right to Life have significant local clout, and pushed Republican lawmakers in the days leading up to the potential repeal vote, urging lawmakers to prevent it from coming to the floor.

That pressure from emboldened conservative Christian activists was palpable in the statehouse on Wednesday, as they arrived early to claim nearly every seat in the gallery. Minutes before the session was about to begin, almost everyone rose, extended their hands toward the House floor below and loudly recited The Lord’s Prayer. A woman stood up and declared, “We have truth on our side.”

“Whose truth?” retorted one of the few abortion rights supporters who managed to get a seat. The crowd murmured back in disapproval.

Afterward, Debi Vandenboom, a director at Arizona Women of Action, praised Mr. Toma and House Republicans for defending the ban but said the State Senate had “betrayed women and the pre-born” when it later introduced a bill to repeal the ban, with a couple of Republicans joining Democrats.

A handful of Republicans who represent moderate suburban districts or who reflect Arizona’s “Don’t Fence Me In” libertarian streak now find themselves increasingly at odds with unshakable abortion opponents from their own party.

“Why is the government trying to force this lack of decision-making on women, based on a religious perspective?” asked Representative David Cook, a cattle rancher from eastern Arizona. “I believe that life begins at conception, I really do. But I shouldn’t try to force my personal and religious beliefs.”

He voted with his fellow Republicans to block the past two repeal efforts for procedural reasons but said he believed enough Republicans would join with Democrats this coming week to undo the law, even as Mr. Toma did not see that outcome. Mr. Cook, a Catholic, said he wanted to add exceptions for rape and incest to an existing ban on abortions after 15 weeks that has been in place in Arizona since Roe v. Wade was overturned.

The decision has been less wrenching for other religious conservatives, like Senator David Farnsworth, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who said he is “100 percent pro-life” and equated abortion to murder. He voted to uphold the 1864 ban and said nothing would change his vote.

Mr. Farnsworth said he was “disappointed and dismayed” that some Republicans are supporting the repeal. As the political pressure intensified, he said he did not know whether his caucus could continue to block repeal efforts when the Legislature returns on Wednesday.

Representative Neal Carter, a Republican, said many of his voters overwhelmingly oppose the repeal effort. He said his opposition to abortion was not rooted in his faith but more in his belief that a fetus was a human life that deserves legal protection and has constitutional rights.

“The real kernel of this is: A fetus is either a human being, or it’s not,” he said.

Arizona is home to a radical fringe of the movement against abortion rights that supports criminalizing abortion from conception as homicide , based on an interpretation of the Bible — a position that is out of step with national leaders and that in some states could make women who have the procedure eligible for the death penalty.

Some abortion rights opponents — a critical source of voters and organizing might for Republicans — are now angry that prominent Republicans like Mr. Trump and Kari Lake, a Trump ally running for Senate, are now racing to distance themselves from the 1864 ban. It allows abortion only to save a woman’s life and has no exceptions for rape or incest.

“If you’re going to claim to be pro-life, you have to be pro-life all the time, not just when it suits your political aims,” said Heather Litchfield, a regional coordinator for the anti-abortion rights group Students for Life of America.

On Friday morning, she and a dozen other staff members and volunteers with the group put on red T-shirts and headed out onto the front lines of Arizona’s abortion fight, to try to persuade voters not to support a proposed ballot measure to enshrine abortion rights in the State Constitution, arguing it would allow abortion up to nine months.

The proposed amendment would prevent the state from restricting abortion through fetal viability, and allow abortions after viability to protect the patient’s “life or physical or mental health.”

As they walked through the suburban city of Mesa, the students said they were worried about the momentum behind the abortion measure, and by the shifting attitudes of politicians like Mr. Trump and Ms. Lake.

“It’s heartbreaking to see people abandon values they once held,” said Kaylee Stockton, who is studying nursing at Grand Canyon University, a prominent Arizona Christian college. “Their wavering isn’t bringing people over to their side.”

They found little support for the 1864 law as they rang doorbells on Friday.

Steve Holstein, 65, who voted for Mr. Trump in 2020 but is most likely supporting President Biden this election, expressed some misgivings about the proposed abortion amendment but said he wanted to see the Legislature undo the 1864 law and revert to a 15-week ban.

“Democrats and Republicans need to keep the far left and far right at bay,” he told the students. “Compromise.”

Elizabeth Dias is The Times’s national religion correspondent, covering faith, politics and culture. More about Elizabeth Dias

Jack Healy is a Phoenix-based national correspondent who focuses on the fast-changing politics and climate of the Southwest. He has worked in Iraq and Afghanistan and is a graduate of the University of Missouri’s journalism school. More about Jack Healy

Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World

Read our research on:

Full Topic List

Regions & Countries

Publications
Our Methods
Short Reads
Tools & Resources

Read Our Research On:

China’s Christian population appears to have stopped growing after rising rapidly in the 1980s and ’90s

Christians pray during a Christmas service in December 2006 at St. Paul's Church, a Three-Self Patriotic Movement church in Nanjing, China. (China Photos/Getty Images)

The Chinese government banned religion during the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s and ’70s. And although Christianity and other religions bounced back in the 1980s and ’90s as restrictions were lifted, the size of China’s Christian population now appears to have leveled off, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of the latest available survey data collected by academic organizations in China.

This analysis of China’s Christian population is based on Pew Research Center’s August 2023 report Measuring Religion in China . Since the Center, like other non-Chinese organizations, is not allowed to conduct surveys in China, this post draws on data collected between 2010 and 2021 in the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), a nationally representative survey conducted by the National Survey Research Center at Renmin University of China. Most CGSS waves include about 12,000 respondents. Other surveys by academic organizations in China find similar results about the size of China’s Christian population. The report chapter on Christianity has more detail.

This post also discusses Chinese government data on religion, which is primarily released by China’s State Council and the National Religious Affairs Administration – formerly known as the State Administration for Religious Affairs – and data from state-run religious associations, such as the China Christian Council and the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (CCC and TSPM).

This research is part of the Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures project , which analyzes religious change and its impact on societies around the world.

No survey assessed the Chinese religious landscape in the years immediately following the Cultural Revolution, but government figures suggest that the number of Christians worshipping in registered churches in China more than doubled, from 6 million in 1982 to 14 million in 1997. By comparison, the country’s overall population increased by a more modest 22% during that period.

There was also reported growth in the number of Christians worshipping in “underground” or “house” churches, which are not registered with the state-sanctioned Catholic and Protestant associations (the Catholic Patriotic Association and the Three-Self Patriotic Movement).

Some journalists, scholars and Christian advocacy groups have suggested that Christianity in China continues to grow rapidly in the 21st century and that Christians are on track to make up a majority of the population there by 2050 .

A chart showing that the size of China's Christian population appears stable in recent years.

But survey data from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) does not show ongoing growth. Between 2010 and 2018, the share of Chinese adults who formally identify with Christianity remained stable at about 2%, according to the CGSS. Roughly nine-in-ten Christians in China are Protestant.

Some scholars have suggested that the coronavirus pandemic prompted increased religiosity in China . But the most recent wave of the CGSS – conducted in 2021, during the pandemic – provides no hint of a revival of Christian identity. Only 1% of respondents formally identified with Christianity that year.

It’s important to note that the 2021 survey data is not directly comparable to earlier waves because COVID-19 outbreaks in some regions of China made it impossible to achieve the same coverage as in pre-pandemic waves.

Survey-based estimates of China’s Christian population may be conservative

In China, religious identity can be measured through data points from many surveys. But religious identity alone may be a conservative measure of religion’s influence in China.

More Chinese adults share some Christian beliefs than identify with the faith in surveys. In the 2018 China Family Panel Studies survey, for instance, 3% of respondents reported exclusively believing in the Christian God (the survey measured belief in Jesus Christ and in Tianzhu, the Chinese word for God used by Catholics). An additional 4% said they believe in the Christian God and at least one other non-Christian deity.

More broadly, all survey-based estimates of China’s Christian population could be conservative. Some people may choose not to reveal Christian identity because they fear negative social or financial consequences should their identity become known, especially if they belong to an unregistered church.

Christianity in China has faced increased restrictions since Xi Jinping became president in 2013. We cannot be certain how survey patterns are affected by political circumstances . Hypothetically, there could be a real increase in the share of Chinese adults who identify with Christianity that is hidden from survey measurement. This could be the case if respondents are increasingly reluctant to reveal their Christian identity due to the government’s intensifying scrutiny of religious activity .

Why China’s Christian population may be leveling off

Although we can’t be certain how precisely surveys capture the reality of China’s religious landscape, there are several reasons why it’s plausible that the country’s Christian population is plateauing.

Government policies that monitor and discourage religious activity may have prevented some Chinese people from becoming or remaining Christian. An official ban on religious education and activity for children, for example, may be inhibiting the transmission of Christian identity to the next generation. Demographics also pose obstacles to Christian growth in China. The CGSS indicates that Christians are concentrated among older adults and relatively scarce among younger Chinese.

Among remaining Christians, the government’s recent program of absorbing previously unregistered churches into the official system may have removed one reason for people to conceal their Christian identity.

Other estimates of the Christian count in China vary widely

The Chinese government has occasionally published statistics estimating how many people associate with Christianity and other religions. However, it’s often unclear how these estimates were derived and whether they are comparable to earlier government figures. Government statistics also vary in the extent to which they include members of unregistered churches, and it is often unclear whether they include children or not.

In 2010, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) Blue Book on Religion estimated there were 23 million Protestants in China. This government estimate, based for the first time on a nationally representative household survey, included members of the official state-sanctioned Three-Self Patriotic Movement, as well as house church members.

When this estimate was challenged by Christian leaders, CASS fellows Duan Qi and Huang Haibo responded that the survey showed the number of Protestants was at least 23 million, but that because of possible underreporting, the total count could be up to 40 million. The next year’s edition of the Blue Book, in 2011, said the Protestant population was in the 23 million to 40 million range (2% to 3% of Chinese people of all ages).

In 2018, the State Council of the People’s Republic of China White Paper on Religious Freedom reported there were 38 million Protestants, but the paper did not detail how this estimate was made. Around this time, a Peking University study estimated that the total number of adults who either formally identify as Christian, profess Christian beliefs or regularly attend Christian worship services, including Protestants and Catholics, was about 40 million, based on analysis of measures from China Family Panel Studies surveys .

Several Christian organizations claim that the count of Christians in China has continued to grow steadily and that it is much higher than survey data or government statistics indicate . For example, the Center for the Study of Global Christianity estimates that the Christian share of China’s population of adults and children increased from 6% in 2000 to 7% in 2020. And Asia Harvest , a Christian ministry that works to expand the number of churches in Asia, estimates that Christians grew from 8% of the country’s total population in 2010 to 9% in 2020.

Related: 8 key findings about Christians in India and How many Christians are there in Egypt?

Christianity
International Religious Freedom & Restrictions
Religious Freedom & Restrictions
Religious Identity & Affiliation

Majority of U.S. Catholics Express Favorable View of Pope Francis

9 facts about u.s. catholics, how common is religious fasting in the united states, 5 facts about muslims and christians in indonesia, 8 in 10 americans say religion is losing influence in public life, most popular.

1615 L St. NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20036 USA (+1) 202-419-4300 | Main (+1) 202-857-8562 | Fax (+1) 202-419-4372 | Media Inquiries

Research Topics

Age & Generations
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Economy & Work
Family & Relationships
Gender & LGBTQ
Immigration & Migration
International Affairs
Internet & Technology
Methodological Research
News Habits & Media
Non-U.S. Governments
Other Topics
Politics & Policy
Race & Ethnicity
Email Newsletters

ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts .

Terms & Conditions

Cookie Settings

Reprints, Permissions & Use Policy

IMAGES

7 Ways We Have Freedom in Christ
What does it mean that for freedom Christ has set us free (Galatians 5:
Freedom in Christ
Top 5 Reasons Jesus Loves Freedom
Freedom in Christ for You
How can we experience true freedom in Christ?

VIDEO

|| Christmas Day Service With Pastor Freedom Wealth Eriya || DECEMBER 24TH 2023 ||
ordo freedom Christ
Freedom in Forgiveness
For Freedom Christ has Set us Free
For freedom, Christ has made you free
Freedom fighters essay 5 lines || Short essay on Freedom fighters || About Freedom fighters

COMMENTS

What Is 'Freedom in Christ'?
It is an active (not lazy) faith, a lively (not dead) faith, a Spirit-empowered (not self-mustered) faith. And this love (for others) is a freedom, not a burden. In Christ, we have been freed to love. Which means, third and finally, Christian freedom is not only freedom from, and not only freedom for, but also freedom with. Jump down to ...
What Does Freedom Look Like in the Christian Life?
This is what your freedom in Christ looks like. The seatbelts of guilt, shame, condemnation and death have been turned off and you are free to be who God created you to be. There is only one thing left to do. You must embrace this freedom. For some people, it is uncomfortable because you must let go of some things.
What is Christian freedom?
Christian freedom is one of the many paradoxes of the Christian faith. True freedom means willingly becoming a slave to Christ, and this happens through relationship with Him ( Colossians 2:16-17 ). In Romans 6, Paul explains that, when a believer accepts Christ, he or she is baptized by the Spirit into Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
What Jesus Teaches About Freedom in John 8
1. The freedom of a royal inheritance. Even if a slave is brought up in the house, he can't expect to live there long term; a son, however, is different (John 8:35). Jesus is the Son—the prince of heaven's kingdom with a permanent place in the Father's royal family. Yet the perfect Son came to earth and died for us.
4 Things the Bible Says About Freedom
Here are some key ideas from the Bible about freedom—including how to find true freedom in your life. 1. People have been searching for it for thousands of years. The quest for freedom is a theme found throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Just three chapters into the story of God's creation, humanity gave up its freedom by ...
PDF free in christ
put it into the hands of persons who long for unity, acceptance, and freedom in Christ. May we share the glorious freedom that is in Christ both now and forever. Cecil Hook, New Braunfels, Texas, October 1, 1984 Preface to the revised eighth Printing Through seven printings in eleven years, this book has undergone no revisions or corrections.
Freedom in Christ
Knowing Christ provides freedom from the control of sin and eternal life with Him. Second, freedom in Christ is seen as the only true form of freedom, because it provides lasting freedom beyond this life. John 8:36 notes, "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." We now know the truth that sets us free as believers ( John 8:32 ).
Divine Sovereignty and Human Freedom
This is because humans have the freedom to do whatever it is that they want, while their desires are in turn decided by their natures, situations, and, ultimately, God. The term sovereignty is rarely found in recent translations of Scripture, but it represents an important biblical concept. A sovereign is a ruler, a king, a lord, and Scripture ...
Unlocking the True Meaning of Christian Freedom: A Comprehensive Guide
Fulfillment: Christian freedom allows us to find fulfillment in life by living according to God's purpose for us. When we are free from the bondage of sin and guilt, we can focus on serving God and others with joy. Direction: Our freedom in Christ gives us direction and guidance for our lives.
Reflections on Christianity and Freedom
Reflections on Christianity and Freedom. One of the core theological promises and premises of the Christian Gospel message is freedom. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" says Jesus Christ in the Gospel of John 8:32. "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" writes Paul in II Corinthians 3:17.
John 8:30-36 True Freedom in Christ
1. Freedom and Delight (John 8:30-32) " 30 As He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him. 31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:31-32) The world persistently positions ...
The Glorious Privilege of Freedom in Christ
God intends for us to be vessels of his love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, patience, and goodness (Galatians 5:22-23). He has ordained us to be ambassadors of his truth, justice, forgiveness, and hope. That glorious privilege is ours because we have been redeemed and Christ lives in us. Paul wrote, "I have been crucified with Christ.
5 Questions to Help Us Understand Our Freedom in Christ
Freedom in Christ means we no longer have to satisfy our sinful desires. "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary ...
Martin Luther's 'On the Freedom of a Christian'
The Freedom of the Christian is a confession of Christ in a nutshell. Christian freedom is a gift from Christ Himself, "For freedom Christ has set us free…" (Galatians 5:1). What Christ did to win salvation in His divine and human natures, He now gives to those who by baptism bear His name: Christian. God justifies the sinner by faith alone.
PDF THE BIBLICAL VIEW OF FREEDOM
Freedom, for Plato and Aristotle, is essential to a state. The best constitution guarantees the greatest freedom (Thucydides). This freedom is freedom within the law which establishes and secures it….Law protects freedom against the caprice of the tyrant or the mass….Democracy achieves this best by allowing the same rights to all citizens
Christianity and Freedom
Christianity and Freedom. Christianity was born demanding religious freedom. Early Christians were faced with the necessity of proving their loyalty to the Roman Emperor. In a society of many beliefs, they refused to take part in formal ceremonies of the civil religion, which treated the Emperor as divine. They often faced martyrdom as a result.
Freedom in Christ in Galatians: A Matter of Identity
Luther approaches Galatian freedom from the standpoint of late medieval theology and soteriology, filtered through the doctrine of justification. From Luther's perspective, freedom in Christ means to be free, in the Spirit, from the dominance of the law and anything or anyone else except God. This essay reexamines and reinterprets the concept ...
St. Paul: Apostle of Freedom in Christ
St. Paul: Apostle of Freedom in Christ. Petros Vassiliadis. In the Footsteps of Saint Paul. An Academic Symposium, HC Orthodox Press Boston 2011, 153-167. A presentation of the the Pauline understanding of freedom. A critique of the traditional modern biblical scholarship, underlining an internalized understanding of freedom (from the Law, from ...
PDF Freedom
concept of freedom in Luther's work. We want to taste the freedom that Christ offers us in the gospel and experience the joy of using that freedom to work for the well being of our neighbors and all creation. In order to get the most out of this study, you should set aside enough time. Beware of haste; it is the enemy of spiritual practices.
37 Bible verses about Freedom, Through Jesus Christ
Romans 6:22-23. But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:2-4.
What Does the Bible Say About Freedom In Christ?
Romans 8:1-4 ESV / 259 helpful votesHelpfulNot Helpful. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful ...
The New Testament Saul
Paul concludes his claim of the freedom of Abraham's descendants with "for freedom Christ has set us free" (Galatians 5:1). Paul uses the idea of freedom to persuade the gentile Christians into understanding that they need not "enslave" themselves to observing Torah. It was proposed to the Galatians that gentile Christians be circumcised.
Rock Culture Influence on Jesus Christ Superstar
This essay about "Jesus Christ Superstar" explores how the rock opera, created by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, uniquely integrates rock culture and biblical narratives. It highlights the period's cultural shifts and how the opera uses rock music to reinterpret Jesus Christ's story, portraying him as a rock star and a revolutionary ...
Freedom Essay 39 Christ explained
Freedom Essay 39. Christ explained. Written by Jeremy Griffith, 2017. In the previous Freedom Essay 38the point was made that finding understanding of the human condition at last makes it possible to explain and demystify all mythology, including all the parables and stories in the Bible, as was demonstrated in that essay by explaining the ...
Bucking Trump, Anti-Abortion Movement Shows Deep Roots in Arizona
Calculated anti-abortion politicking has deep roots in Arizona. The Alliance Defending Freedom, the now-powerful conservative Christian legal group that helped overturn Roe and is working to limit ...
How many Christians are there in China?
The next year's edition of the Blue Book, in 2011, said the Protestant population was in the 23 million to 40 million range (2% to 3% of Chinese people of all ages). In 2018, the State Council of the People's Republic of China White Paper on Religious Freedom reported there were 38 million Protestants, but the paper did not detail how this ...

What Does Freedom Look Like in the Christian Life?

What Have You Been Set Free From?

Freedom in the Christian Life Should Make You More Gracious, not Less

Freedom in the Christian Life Releases You from Your Past

Freedom in the Christian Life Empowers You in the Present

Embrace Your Freedom

How to go to Heaven

What is Christian freedom?

1. People have been searching for it for thousands of years.

2. God’s answer to our loss of freedom has always been Jesus Christ.

3. Jesus came to free us from death, sin and anything that enslaves us.

4. God gives us freedom to choose our own path.

Final thoughts on freedom

Choose Jesus today, and find out what true freedom feels like .

Read Today's Devotion

Freedom in Christ - What is it? How can I experience true freedom in Christ?

Most Popular

U.S. Edition

To All The World

Divine Sovereignty and Human Freedom

God’s Sovereign Control

Human Freedom

Further Reading

Unlocking the True Meaning of Christian Freedom: A Comprehensive Guide

The Importance of Understanding Christian Freedom

The Connection Between Christian Freedom and Spiritual Growth

The Impact of Christian Freedom on Personal Relationships

The Relationship Between Christian Freedom and Social Justice

The Biblical Basis of Christian Freedom

The Nature of God’s Grace and Christian Freedom

The Role of Faith in Experiencing Christian Freedom

The Relationship Between the Law and Christian Freedom

The Misconceptions Surrounding Christian Freedom

Christian Freedom is Not a License to Sin

Christian Freedom Does Not Mean We Can Do Whatever We Want

How to Experience True Christian Freedom

The Importance of Surrendering to God’s Will

The Role of Forgiveness in Experiencing Christian Freedom

The Role of Christian Freedom in Living a Fulfilling Life

How Christian Freedom Helps Us Live with Purpose

The Future of Christian Freedom in the Modern World

The Role of Christian Freedom in Promoting Human Rights

The Impact of Culture on the Perception of Christian Freedom

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biblical basis for Christian freedom?

How does Christian freedom relate to responsibility?

What are some misconceptions about Christian freedom?

How can we experience true Christian freedom?

Privacy Overview

John 8:30-36 True Freedom in Christ

Culture Problems

1. Freedom and Delight (John 8:30-32)

Belief in Christ

What happens after one believes in Christ?

2. Slavery and Delusion (John 8:33-36)

Discussion Questions on John 8:30-36

There are currently no comments, be the first!

Recent posts

Facing Antichrist and His Henchmen, Part 5

AI and the Future of the Christian Church - Part 4

Sound Doctrine: A Word Study on Sound Teaching

Philippians 1:9-11 Christ’s Love in Us

At the Millennium’s End (Revelation 20:1-10)

Enduring My Sufferings: A 1 Peter Study on Suffering

Isaiah 41:14-15 Enjoying My Vulnerabilities

Matthew 24:36 “That Day and Hour” — A practical interpretation with Study Questions

John 15:16 Fruit That Remain With Study Questions

1 Timothy 3:1-7 Selecting Godly Church Leadership with Bible Study Questions

Virtual Training #392 >>

The Glorious Privilege of Freedom in Christ

Related Resources

The Mighty Intervention of God

Complete Freedom, Part 2

How to Use Your Freedom

Have you found yourself looking back, as if you were missing out on something? Or have you fixed your eyes on your freedom in Christ?

Spiritual Growth and Christian Living Resources

5 Questions to Help Us Understand Our Freedom in Christ

1. What Is Freedom in Christ and How Do I Obtain It?

2. Does Freedom in Christ Mean I Can Do Whatever I Want?

3. What Are Ways I Allow the Enemy to Control Me, Even After I’ve Been Set Free?

John 8:30-36 True Freedom in Christ 