Is it true that we are no longer slaves?

Fall Sin

TL;DR:

If you belong to Christ, your identity is no longer "slave" but "child of God." Though you still battle sin, it is no longer your master.

The Bible teaches that apart from Christ, every person is a slave to sin, unable to free themselves from its power. The Bible shows that believers have been freed from slavery to sin by Christ's atoning sacrifice. The Old Testament foreshadows that freedom through the story of God liberating His people from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 6:6). The Passover God instituted at that time pointed toward the freedom believers find through the blood of the Lamb of God—Christ (Exodus 12:13; John 1:29). The apostle Paul used the analogy of slavery to show how Christ frees those who place their faith in Him. What are we freed from? Sin (Romans 6:17-18). This doesn't mean that believers will no longer commit any sins, but it means that they no longer lead lifestyles of sin (Romans 7:21-25, 6:14). Instead, Paul says believers are "slaves of righteousness" (Romans 6:18), but he's using that analogy as a contrast to the freedom from sin. If you belong to Jesus, your past no longer defines you, your sin no longer owns you, and your true identity is found as a beloved child of God (Galatians 4:7).

from the old testament

God freed His people from bondage in Egypt, which foreshadowed the freedom from the bondage of sin and death through Christ's atoning work on the cross (Exodus 6:6). The Passover God instituted the night before His people left Egypt is a picture of how the blood of Christ frees believers from enslavement to sin and death today (Exodus 12:13).
God reminded His children in the Old Testament that they were no longer slaves (Deuteronomy 15:15), which points to the freedom believers today have in Christ.

from the new testament

John the Baptist "saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'" (John 1:29). Only through Christ's blood are we freed of slavery to sin.
Sin enslaves, but Christ frees: "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'" (John 8:34-36). Those who place their faith in Christ become children of God rather than slaves to sin (Galatians 4:7).
Paul iterated the freedom believers have in Christ: "But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness" (Romans 6:17-18). Though believers will still struggle with sin while in this broken world (as Paul did), they don't lead lifestyles characterized by sin (Romans 7:21-25, 6:14).

implications for today

Freedom! Teens use that word when they get their parents' permission to spend a weekend with friends. Workers use it as they walk out the office door on Fridays. You might use it when you take off your shoes at the end of a long work day or when you finally get your toddler to sleep.

Sadly, the world often uses "freedom" to mean being able to commit sin without consequences.

But sin always has consequences. (Ask any addict who has tried to quit a harmful habit). True liberty is only found in Christ, who frees us from slavery to sin. This doesn't mean we won't ever sin; in this fallen world, that's impossible. But it means that God will always give us a way out of temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13), and when we do sin, we can confess it to Him, and He will forgive us (1 John 1:9).

Christians today should never believe that our sins are too great for God's mercy; that's from the "father of lies" (John 8:44). Instead, we should use our freedom to tell other "slaves" how they can be free: through faith in Christ alone.

understand

Apart from Christ, every person is a slave to sin.
Those who place their faith in Christ become children of God, no longer bound by sin.
Believers still struggle with sin, but sin is no longer their master, and they now have the power to pursue righteousness through Christ.

reflect

How has your understanding of being a child of God rather than a slave to sin changed the way you view yourself?
Where are you still tempted to live as though sin is your master instead of walking in the freedom Christ has given you?
When you slip into sin now, how do you handle that as a child of God?

engage

What are some misconceptions about "freedom" in the world today?
What does true freedom in Christ look like, and how is it different from the world's definition of freedom?
How can believers compassionately show that sin promises freedom but ultimately leads to slavery?

More Resources

Sin

All have sinned—What does that mean?

Because the first man, Adam, chose to disobey God, all have a sin nature, which causes us to sin and be separated from God. Because everyone has a sin nature, all have sinned.

Life

What does the Bible say about Christian freedom?

Christians are free from the bondage of sin, the Law, and death, but Christian freedom does not mean we can do whatever we want. Christian freedom means we are free to live for God and to live in the abundant life God has for us.

Salvation

Do we need to believe we are sinners to be saved?

Yes, we need to believe we are sinners to be saved—you don’t need a Savior if you don’t see your sin. The Bible is clear: Jesus came to rescue sinners, and salvation begins when we admit that’s who we are.

Theology

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

We are all born as slaves to sin, enemies of God. Christ died so we can have the freedom to deny sin and avoid its deadly consequences.