What’s Freedom For?

But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies.

1 Corinthians 6:13

When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we experience unprecedented freedom. No longer do we need to live in fear of God’s judgment, because Christ has taken it upon himself, giving us his righteousness. Thus we are free to live life to the fullest, free to be the people God created and re-created us to be.

For some, however, freedom in Christ takes a wrong turn. Some of the Corinthian Christians, for example, believed that they were free to do whatever they pleased, including engaging in sex outside of marriage. “Our bodies were made for sex,” they argued, “so we’re free to have sex however we like it” (6:12-13). In particular, some of the men in the Corinthian church visited prostitutes, just as they had done before they were believers in Jesus. Weren’t they free in Christ to do as they pleased?

Paul’s answer to this question is negative. Freedom in Christ is not just freedom from guilt or judgment. It is also freedom for serving the Lord. Thus, with respect to sexuality, Paul writes, “But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies” (6:13). The proof of God’s valuing of our bodies comes in the future resurrection, when God will raise up, not just our souls, but our bodies.

So, yes, in a sense, we are free to do whatever we wish. But our lives, including our bodies, are “for the Lord.” Free from condemnation, free from fear and guilt, we are able to give to God all that we are, even our bodies. We are free to heed the call of Romans 12:1: “I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable.” That’s what our freedom is for.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: How do you understand your freedom in Christ? In what ways do you live out your freedom in Christ?

PRAYER: Gracious Lord, thank you for the freedom we have in you. Indeed, all things are possible for us because of what you have done through the cross. What a gift!

But help us, Lord, to use this gift well. Keep us from the temptation to use our freedom in order to sin. Instead, may we freely and joyfully give our whole selves to you, including our bodies.

Even today, may I use wisely the freedom you give me, living each moment for the praise of your glory.

I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.