What Does It Mean to Be Free in Christ?

This weekend was filled with the sounds of fireworks, the smell of grilled hot dogs, and the joy of long days by the pool, lake, or beach. We gathered with friends and family to celebrate something we cherish: freedom.

The Fourth of July reminds us of our country’s hard-fought independence. In 1776, the United States declared freedom from Great Britain, and ever since, brave men and women have continued to fight for the liberty we enjoy today. It’s a time to pause, remember, and celebrate the sacrifice and courage of those who have paved the way.

But this weekend, as I reflected on all the red, white, and blue around me, I couldn’t help but think of another kind of freedom, the kind that can’t be won on a battlefield or protected by laws. The kind of freedom that only Jesus offers.

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“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” —John 8:36

Earlier this week, I posted that verse in a quick TikTok and someone messaged me with a question:

“What does it actually mean to be free in Christ?”

And maybe you’ve wondered that, too.

We understand American freedom, what it cost, why it matters, how it’s celebrated. But spiritual freedom? That feels more abstract. What exactly does Jesus free us from? And what does that look like in everyday life?

Let me share a story from Scripture that makes this freedom come alive.

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A Woman, Her Shame, and the Savior Who Set Her Free

In John 8, just before Jesus makes that bold declaration about freedom, we read about a woman caught in adultery. The religious leaders drag her into the temple courts and place her in front of a crowd and Jesus.

She was guilty. The law said she deserved to be stoned. But instead of condemning her, Jesus does something unexpected. He kneels down and writes in the dirt. Then He stands and says to the crowd:

“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7)

Silence.

One by one, they walk away. Then Jesus looks at the woman and says:

“Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:11)

In that moment, she was set free.

Not just from public humiliation, not just from death, but from shame, judgment, and a destructive past.

Jesus didn’t just forgive her. He gave her a new beginning. A chance to walk away from her old life with her head held high and her heart washed clean.

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This Is the Freedom Jesus Offers You, Too

The freedom Jesus gives isn’t political. It’s personal.

He frees us from the chains we often can’t even see:

• Freedom from sin – We no longer have to be trapped by guilt, addiction, or patterns that pull us away from who we were created to be.

• Freedom from shame – We’re not defined by our worst decisions. Our past doesn’t have the final say.

• Freedom from fear – We can live with peace, knowing we’re deeply loved and never alone.

• Freedom to live – With purpose, with joy, and with the confidence that comes from knowing we are children of God.

This freedom isn’t something we earn, it’s a gift. It’s not reserved for the perfect or the put-together. It’s for anyone who’s willing to receive it.

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Living Free: Today and Every Day

So yes, this weekend, we celebrate the freedoms we have as Americans. We remember the sacrifices made and the history that shaped us.

But I also invite you to celebrate an even greater freedom, the one Jesus died for on the cross.

A freedom that cannot be taken away.

A freedom that brings peace in the middle of pain.

A freedom that reaches deeper than any outward change ever could.

Whether you’ve known Jesus for years or you’re meeting Him for the first time, this truth stands:

If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.

And that, my friend, is worth celebrating every single day.