Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17 NKJV
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. Isaiah 61:1 KJV
Why were they in prison? People are in prison because of sin. People are all bound up because of sin.
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14 NKJ
The Father, through Jesus Christ, gave us liberty in every area of life. He has delivered us from the power of darkness; the burden of sin is lifted; we are washed clean and forgiven of every sin. It is a fresh start – a new beginning. We are new creatures in Christ. Sin once held us in bondage, but now we are free in Christ.
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1 NKJV
Sin will put you into, and keep you in, bondage. The liberty we have in Christ is so precious – why would we want to go back into the bondage of sin? Yet there are people, all the time, whether ignorantly or willfully, walk away from freedom and back into bondage. Being free to sin – to do whatever you want to do – is not freedom. Sin is a trap – it brings bondage and devastation – the wages of sin is still death, no matter what age you live in!
For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for selfishness], but through love you should serve one another. Galatians 5:13 AMP
The word of God commands us not to take advantage of the liberty we have in Christ by going back into sin. We have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We are forgiven and on our way to heaven. There is nothing we could do to earn His forgiveness, and nothing we can do to keep it. However, that does not mean that we are released from our obligation to walk in righteousness – that does not mean that we can do whatever we want to do. Jesus lives inside you. Would you still do the things you do, if Jesus was in the room – because He is, if He lives in you!
[Live] as free people, [yet] without employing your freedom as a pretext for wickedness; but [live at all times] as servants of God.
1 Peter 2:16 AMP
Live as free people – free from the inside out – free from the religious works program. However, do NOT do wicked deeds under the pretext of your freedom in Christ. We are set free FROM sin – not set free TO sin. Christians, who do wicked deeds and claim to be exempt from righteousness, God will hold accountable. As a believer, you have a great responsibility to do right – even much more than a sinner who does not have the life and nature of God inside them.
Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” 8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 1 Corinthians 10:1-11 NKJV
Paul is talking to Christians who – like the Israelites – drank from the spiritual Rock, which is Christ. He is admonishing us to lay aside the things of our old life and to live in the light of what we have received in Christ. Jesus made us free, but not so free that we can sin with impunity. Paul tells us to learn from the mistakes of the Israelites: do not lust after evil things; do not become idolaters; do not commit sexual immorality; do not tempt Christ; do not be a complainer. Sin destroys everything it touches. God must always judge sin. If you insist on sinning, you also invite judgment.
Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 1 Corinthians 10:14 NKJV
Never be overconfident in your own ability to walk sinless before God. Walk humbly – have a humble estimation of yourself – walk closely with Him and put all your hope and confidence in Him to keep you pure and on track. Then when you do mess up – because you probably will – be quick to repent and ask His forgiveness. Remember, if you sow to the flesh, you will reap corruption, but if you sow to the spirit, you will reap life everlasting.
