Why Being Set Free Is at the Core of the Christian Faith
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.” (Galatians 5:1 NIV)
When you think about Christianity, one word should stand out above all the rest: freedom. At its heart, Christianity is all about being set free—free from guilt, fear, and anything that keeps us from living the life we’re meant to live. The Bible teaches that Jesus came to redeem people, which simply means He set us free from the things that trap us, like sin and fear.
Let’s break it down with an easy-to-understand story from the Bible: the Exodus. Long ago, the people of Israel were slaves in Egypt. Their lives were full of hard labor, and they had no freedom. But God, through leaders like Moses and Joshua, led them out of slavery. This incredible journey from being slaves to becoming a free nation is a powerful picture of what Christianity is all about—moving from bondage to liberty.
But here’s something most people don’t expect: freedom isn’t always easy. In fact, the Bible shows us that freedom can actually be a heavy responsibility. Once the Israelites were free, they faced new challenges. Instead of taking orders, they had to make choices for themselves. They had to learn to trust God and each other, and that was sometimes harder than living as slaves. It turns out, having freedom means learning to handle the responsibility that comes with making your own decisions.
Freedom is not just a Western or Eastern idea—it’s a core part of who we are as humans. According to the Bible, God created us to be free, and the desire for freedom is built into our very nature. That’s why, throughout history, when people have been oppressed—whether by slavery, unfair governments, economic hardship, or even abuse at home—something deep inside them rises up and longs for freedom.
Oppression in any form—whether it’s forced labor, strict ideologies, or even spiritual manipulation—is seen in Christianity as a serious wrong against the human spirit. The reason is simple: when you try to crush someone’s freedom, you are fighting against the very thing that makes us human.
Here’s another important idea: freedom is a bit mysterious, like love or beauty. It’s hard to put into words, but you know it when you feel it. And just like love or beauty, freedom is something that’s better experienced than defined. When you finally taste true freedom—when you’re not afraid, when you’re not trapped by guilt or fear—you know it deep down.
To sum it up, Christianity is about much more than rules and rituals. It’s about being set free—personally and as a community. It’s about the chance to live fully, love deeply, and become the person you were made to be. And while freedom comes with its own struggles and responsibilities, it is also one of life’s greatest gifts, and it’s worth everything to pursue and protect it.
So, if you’ve ever felt trapped or weighed down, remember: the central message of Christianity is that freedom is possible, and it’s meant for you.
Minister A Francine Green I July 2025
afrancinegreen.com 