Free Indeed

Happy 80th Independence Day to all our fellow Indians! What does this independence do to each of us? Each of us will have a different response to this question, and that's the beauty of the freedom to express what we want. For me, this freedom has let me experience the beauty of India — its diversity, its people, the harmony of living together, the freedom to worship and the freedom of speech, that has made it possible for me to write this blog. There is much to celebrate about the freedom we enjoy as a nation. I thank and praise God for this beautiful nation of India.

But as I reflect on our national independence, a deeper question surfaces. What about our spiritual freedom? India gained freedom from colonial rule on August 15, 1947. But Jesus earned our freedom through the work of the Cross — a freedom far older and far more complete than any nation can offer. What does this freedom in Christ really mean for us?

[Galatians 5:1 NIV]  1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

Paul wrote these words to the Galatian church because they were under threat. False teachers had infiltrated their ranks — [Galatians 2:4 NIV]  4 "This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves."

The same danger exists today. We live in the last days, as Matthew 24 describes many events that will occur. Jesus Himself warned us — [Matthew 24:24-25 NIV]  24 "For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time."

We will see and experience false signs and wonders that promote false teaching, slowly distorting the freedom we received from Christ. So it is important for us to understand two things: what this freedom means, and how the enemy tries to take it away.

What Is This Freedom in Christ?

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." Paul teaches us to understand the freedom we have earned in Christ and how we need to guard it. What does this freedom look like? Here are nine things Christ has set us free from — and free to do.

1. Freedom in Christ from the Curse of the Law

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law. We are no longer trying to earn righteousness through obedience to the Law. We are justified by faith alone. Just by faith in Christ — that Jesus is the Lord, who died for my sins and redeemed me to salvation — we are rid of all the curses.

[Galatians 3:13-14 NIV]  13 "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.' 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit."

[Romans 8:1 NIV]  1 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

2. Freedom in Christ from the Power of Sin

In Christ, sin is no longer our master. We now have the power to say "No" to sin and "Yes" to God. Because we have overcome sin through Christ, we become slaves to God — and the benefit we reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

[Romans 6:6-7, 14, 18, 22 NIV]  6 "For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. ... 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. ... 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. ... 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life."

3. Freedom in Christ from Condemnation

In Christ, our guilt has been removed. We are forgiven and accepted by God. The charge of our legal indebtedness — every sin that stood against us and condemned us — He has taken it away, nailing it to the Cross. In Christ, there is no condemnation.

[Romans 8:1 NIV]  1 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

[Colossians 2:13-14 NIV]  13 "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross."

4. Freedom in Christ from Slavery to Rules for Salvation

This was Paul's central argument in Galatians. The freedom in Christ means that salvation does not come through circumcision, Jewish ceremonies, religious rituals, or human effort. None of these save us. These ceremonies were not only for the Galatians — they apply to all of us. We too come from various backgrounds with our own past customs and rituals that make us feel we must continue following them.

Salvation is by grace through faith — faith is the key to God's kingdom. He is the Saviour and He will do what we cannot.

[Galatians 4:3 NIV]  3 "So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world."

Think about this in our own Indian context. How many of us, even as believers, still carry the weight of practices that have nothing to do with Christ? Consider some of these:

• Astrology — "The stars determine my future." But God directs the future, not the stars.

• Lucky and unlucky days — fearing the calendar more than trusting God's sovereignty.

• Vastu or Feng Shui as a source of blessing — good architecture is one thing, but believing physical arrangements control your destiny is another.

• Evil eye protections and superstitious rituals — the object becomes the source of protection instead of God.

• Trusting human traditions for salvation — "If I fast this many days, God must bless me." "If I complete this ritual, I earn God's favour."

• Modern worldly principles — "Money is everything," "Success defines your worth," "Image matters more than character."

[Galatians 2:16 NIV]  16 "know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified."

Paul also warns about circumcision — [Galatians 5:2-4 NIV]  2 "Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace."

By grace we are saved — it is a gift from God.

[Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV]  8 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast."

5. Freedom in Christ to Become Sons and Heirs

In Christ, we are no longer slaves — we are children of God, sons and daughters, heirs with Christ. A slave serves out of fear. A child serves out of love. The freedom in Christ changes our identity — God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out "Abba, Father." As His children, we have the power to receive all that Christ earned on the Cross. All the authority of Christ is given to His children — no other god can do that. Only in Christ do we have this power to inherit all that He accomplished on the Cross.

[Galatians 4:4-7 NIV]  4 "But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.' 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir."

[Romans 8:15-17 NIV]  15 "The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."

6. Freedom in Christ to Approach God Directly

The freedom we have in Christ means Jesus opened the way to the Father. We no longer need an earthly priest or animal sacrifices. We can approach God's throne of grace with confidence — not because of our worthiness, but because of His blood.

[Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV]  14 "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

[Hebrews 10:19-22 NIV]  19 "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."

7. Freedom in Christ from Fear of Death

In Christ, death has lost its victory. Believers have eternal life. Death has no mastery over Christ, and as believers we inherit this. The mortal body may be dead when we die, but the soul lives forever with Christ. This is the freedom Christ gives us — we do not need to be held in slavery by the fear of death.

[Hebrews 2:14-15 NIV]  14 "Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-- 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death."

[1 Corinthians 15:54-57 NIV]  54 "When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.' 55 'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?' 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

8. Freedom in Christ to Live by the Holy Spirit

The freedom in Christ is not freedom to live according to the flesh. It is freedom to live under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We were called to be free, but not to use that freedom to indulge the flesh. Rather, we serve one another in love and walk by the Spirit. When we are led by the Spirit, we are not under the law — and those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

[Galatians 5:13, 16, 18, 25 NIV]  13 "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. ... 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ... 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ... 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."

[Romans 8:14 NIV]  14 "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God."

9. Freedom in Christ — From Fear to "Fear Not"

In Christ, we have freedom from fear “Fear Not” — not because difficult things will never happen, but because we know who holds us, who is with us, and what our eternal destiny is. We are not given the spirit of fear. The Holy Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.

[2 Timothy 1:7 NIV]  7 "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."

The fear is gone because the unseen God is with us and He leads us. Just as David looked at Goliath and did not shrink back, we too face challenges — but we face them with a spirit of boldness, the same Spirit that helped Christ overcome death without fear. God Himself says to us:

[Isaiah 41:10 NIV]  10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

And we do not need to worry about tomorrow, for our Saviour has already taken care of it.

[Matthew 6:34 NIV]  34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Standing Firm on This Freedom

What do we need to do to make sure this freedom in Christ is not lost? Paul gives us the answer in the second half of Galatians 5:1 — "Stand firm, then."

Notice the flow of this verse carefully. Christ has already set us free — that is the finished work of Christ. Stand firm, then — that is our response. Do not be burdened again — that is the warning. The word "then" means: because Christ has already set you free, therefore stand firm.

Freedom can be lost — not salvation itself, but the joy and liberty of living by grace — when believers return to legalism or place their confidence in works. Paul repeatedly told believers to remain steadfast:

• 1 Corinthians 16:13 — "Stand firm in the faith."

• Philippians 1:27 — "Stand firm in the one Spirit."

• Ephesians 6:13-14 — "Stand your ground… Stand firm."

So what exactly should we stand firm in to guard the freedom we have in Christ?

1. Stand Firm in Grace

To guard our freedom in Christ, we must first stand firm in grace.

Grace means God accepts us because of what Christ has done, not because of what we do. The moment we start believing we need to earn God's love through our efforts, we have left grace and gone back under the yoke.

When we rely on ourselves to walk according to the law and rituals, we fall from the grace He has given us.

But by walking in the Spirit, we eagerly embrace the faith that leads us to righteousness in Christ.

[Galatians 5:4-5 NIV]  4 "You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope."

2. Stand Firm in Faith

The freedom we have in Christ is received by faith and is guarded by faith.

Salvation is by faith from beginning to end. When we clothe ourselves with Christ through faith, He overcomes our self-desires.

But when we rely on self, we are yoked back to slavery.

[1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV]  13 "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong."

3. Stand Firm in the Truth

To protect our freedom in Christ, we must never compromise God's Word.

In a world that constantly redefines truth, we hold on to the one truth that never changes.

[Proverbs 23:23 NIV]  23 "Buy the truth and do not sell it--wisdom, instruction and insight as well."

4. Stand Firm in the Gospel

The freedom in Christ is rooted in the Gospel. Don't add anything to Christ. The Gospel is complete.

Our conduct must be worthy of it — not by adding rules, but by living it out.

[Philippians 1:27 NIV]  27 "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel."

5. Stand Firm in Christ Himself

Our freedom is in Christ, and our standing is in Christ. Christ is enough.

Not Christ plus good works. Not Christ plus rituals. Not Christ plus human effort.

Just Christ.

[1 Thessalonians 3:8 NIV]  8 "For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord."

[2 Thessalonians 2:15 NIV]  15 "So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter."

6. Stand Firm in Christ's Love

Love for Christ is the centrepiece of our freedom in Christ. It is the antidote to everything that tries to pull us back into legalism or self-effort. Faith expressing itself through love — that is what counts. The entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbour as yourself."

[Galatians 5:6 NIV]  "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."

[Galatians 5:13-14 NIV]  13 "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Why must we stand firm? Because the enemy wants believers to exchange:

• Grace → Legalism

• Faith → Works

• Liberty → Bondage

• Christ → Self-effort

Every one of these exchanges looks reasonable on the surface. That is what makes them dangerous. This is the very danger of the last days that Jesus warned us about in Matthew 24.

From the outside it may seem correct, but underneath, the enemy (Satan) is working to take away the freedom we have in Christ. He uses his false prophets to twist the Word of God, to use words out of context, to normalize sin as the new norm, and to slowly make believers drift towards the world and its beliefs and go back to the old bondages. His goal is this — that we live in bondage on the inside, in our soul and inner being, while externally practising Christ to meet the world's needs. That is what Satan aspires for every believer. So be warned.

Don't settle for where you are in the walk with Christ. He aspires to make each of us grow more every day, to make us perfect till the last breath, so keep asking Him to wash you each day. Ask Him what His will is for you and what you need to do for Him, to align to His freedom, to walk and be made more mature in Christ. The more you humble yourself and seek Him, the more He will make His grace shine on you and make you grow.

The Freedom That Lasts

We celebrated our nation's independence, and rightly so. But the freedom we have in Christ goes deeper than any national border. It breaks the power of sin, removes condemnation, tears down the wall between us and God, defeats death itself, and fills us with the Spirit of the living God. No government in earth can gave us this freedom and no can take it away if we are faithful to Christ.

Even as we live freely in Christ, there are many around us who have not tasted this freedom. As Paul writes — [1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV]  18 "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." For some, the message of the Cross seems foolish. But for those who have experienced it, it is the very power of God.

Keep praying for this nation to know Christ and experience the freedom from sin and its dominion. As we stand in last days, Only Christ has the power to set us truly free and make us experience this freedom in Christ

[John 8:36 NIV]  36 "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

National freedom gave us a country. The Cross gave us eternity. The question is — are you free indeed?