“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”(John 8:32).

As we celebrate Independence Day on July 4, I am reminded that there is a greater liberty than that which we enjoy as citizens of the United States of America. I am speaking, of course, of the liberty we enjoy as believers in Jesus Christ. Spiritual freedom from sin can be viewed in three distinct ways.

First, when we believe upon Christ as our Lord and Savior and are born again, we are set free from the PENALTY of sin. When Christ died for us, He took the penalty for our sins upon Himself and paid the price for all our wrongdoing. Paul wrote, “Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures” (I Corinthians 15:3b). God does not demand double payment; once at our bleeding Surety’s hands and then again at ours. Praise God that through the precious blood of Christ, sin’s penalty has been paid!

Second, as believers, we are set free from the POWER of sin. Paul put it this way, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14). He also wrote, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2). We may still occasionally sin, but sin’s power over us has been broken by the Cross of Christ, and we can now have victory over sin as we walk in the power of the Spirit of God.

Third, one day we shall be set free from the PRESENCE of sin! In that eternal home of the saints which the Bible calls Heaven, there will be no sin.” And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth…” (Revelation 21:27). Sin will be forever banished in that holy place God has prepared for us. We will be free to worship and live in the presence of the Lord unhindered by sinful hearts, attitudes, and actions. What a day that will be!

Real freedom, freedom from sin made possible by our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, is the greatest freedom anyone can experience. Jesus said, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). That, dear friends, is genuine freedom!