Here is the thing about slavery, as a slave, you can’t set yourself free. You can’t unlock the chains that bind you and simply walk off. You don’t have the means or the authority to do so. only someone else, someone who loves you enough to pay the price to have you released.

Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits 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”

Our sin kept us in slavery, but Jesus laid down his life as the purchase price to set us free. Christ did not pay part of the price and now, somehow, we have to pay the rest. In the words of the old hymn, Jesus paid it all. Everything. The total cost. Absolutely purchased. We have been utterly and completely set free. Or to use Jesus’ words, we are  “free indeed.”

Free to from what? Free from the power of sin. We no longer have to obey our old master. We are no longer bound to follow sin. Free to what? We are free to follow Christ. Free to worship, love, honor, obey, follow, and adore. Free to find all of our heart’s satisfaction in him and him alone. We are free to be who we have been declared to be. We are free to be righteous and holy. We are free to live in the love and approval of the Father. We are free to be who we have been declared to be in Christ.