I have heard it said that freedom is not free. Freedom often comes at a cost. This is certainly true of our freedom in Christ. You see, the only reason that we get to experience freedom in Christ today is because of the price that Jesus paid when He gave up His life on the cross for the sins of the world and rose again three days later.
The apostle Paul wrote about the freedom we have in Christ in Ephesians 1. In this chapter, he wrote, “We praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son" (verse 6). He continued teaching about just how glorious the grace of God truly is by saying, "He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins" (verse 7). Because God is kind and gracious, which means giving us gifts that we do not deserve, He sent Jesus. God sent Jesus to come, live a perfect life, and give up His life for the sins of the world. When Jesus died on the cross, He purchased our freedom. That freedom He gives is freedom from sin and death.
Peter explained just how Jesus purchased our freedom in 1 Peter 2. In this passage of Scripture, he wrote, “He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right" (verse 24). We can be so familiar with the teaching of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross that we miss the weightiness of the sacrifice that He made. Jesus "personally carried our sins in His body on the cross." The price for our sins cost Jesus everything. He faced torture and agony on the cross. His sacrifice brought freedom to anyone who places their faith in Him. By Jesus' wounds, Peter continued, we are healed (verse 24).
You have a God who withheld nothing to bring you freedom. The question is, will you live in His freedom today? Will you obey and say "yes" to Him and "no" to sin? Praise God for His great grace, which cost Him everything but brought us freedom!
Because of Jesus, you have freedom. Because of His sacrifice, you get to spend forever with Him one day if you have placed your faith in Him. Death and sin no longer have their hold on you. Take some time now to listen to your favorite worship song. Sing every word loudly, praising God for the freedom available to you in Christ.
1So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. 2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, 3 now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.
4 You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.
5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. 6 As the Scriptures say,
“I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem,
chosen for great honor,
and anyone who trusts in him
will never be disgraced.”
7 Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him,
“The stone that the builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.”
8 And,
“He is the stone that makes people stumble,
the rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.
9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
10 “Once you had no identity as a people;
now you are God’s people.
Once you received no mercy;
now you have received God’s mercy.”
11 Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. 12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.
13 For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, 14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.
15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. 16 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 17 Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.
18 You who are slaves must submit to your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. 19 For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. 20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.
21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.
22 He never sinned,
nor ever deceived anyone.
23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted,
nor threaten revenge when he suffered.
He left his case in the hands of God,
who always judges fairly.
24 He personally carried our sins
in his body on the cross
so that we can be dead to sin
and live for what is right.
By his wounds
you are healed.
25 Once you were like sheep
who wandered away.
But now you have turned to your Shepherd,
the Guardian of your souls.
