Romans 6:19-23

When we think about freedom, we usually think about our ability to make our own decisions. Freedom means that we can do what we want without asking permission from others. Political freedom works exactly that way. The United States’ political system is all about giving every individual the freedom to make his or her own decisions without interference (for the most part) from politicians.

When it comes to our personal lives, though, freedom to choose often means that we choose to be less free.

St. Paul talks about the freedom we have in obedience vs independence in Romans 6. When we believe we are being independent, we are not free at all. When we say to God, “You can’t tell me what to do,” we actually imprison ourselves. We make ourselves slaves to sin and impurity with the end that leads to shame, more sin, and eventually death.

When we turn to God in obedience, we live out what God has already made us to be. He has already saved us. He has already raised us to new life. He has already given us a new, faithful heart to follow him.

Freedom, true freedom, is living in God’s will and obeying him. In this sermon, we examine examples of how independence and selfishness makes us less free while living in God’s will makes us more free.