Sometimes our focus as Christians is on what we can’t do, or what we seem to be missing out on. But what if we shifted our focus to the true freedom we have in Christ?
These Bible verses for July concentrate on the spiritual freedom we have from the law of sin, through our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Read through these Bible verses and be encouraged. Don’t miss the FREE printable Bible reading plan for July (or any other 31 days of the year), as well as the free Bible study questions worksheet, at the end of this article.
What is True Freedom Through Faith?
As we look at these Bible verses about having freedom in Christ, we might be tempted to compare it with the concept of freedom that the world presents.
Freedom in today’s culture seems to mean the license to do whatever you want, following your own plans and desires. It implies that guidelines are too restrictive and that anything beyond “follow your heart” is stifling.
Freedom through faith in Christ is different. It doesn’t center on us, and what we want. It shows us that we are subject to serving either God or sin, and that sin will ultimately lead to our destruction.
Freedom in Christ offers so much more to us, that we can live forgiven lives in joyful service to our Lord. We aren’t burdened by our sins – they are covered by Jesus paying the price for us at the cross.
To understand more about this, let’s take a look at these important Bible verses about freedom in Christ..
The Promise of Freedom in Christ
When we have joyfully accepted the good news of salvation, and begun our personal relationship with Christ, we should live lives that reflect our freedom from serving sin.
Romans 6:22-23
“But now, being made free from sin and having become servants of God, you have your fruit of sanctification and the result of eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The Lord knows that we would be burdened forever with sin if He did not free us from it. Our salvation gives us freedom from living a life of sin, and the damage that sin brings to our lives.
The yoke of slavery, or bondage, to sin is heavy. When we can look to God for our strength to obey and our forgiveness for sin, we truly do have freedom.
Jesus calls us to a life of spiritual freedom! What a gift it is, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to live in His freedom and forgiveness.
Living as a Child of God
Romans 8:2
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.”
When we enter into our relationship with Jesus, we are His children! We live under the law of the Spirit of life, not under the law of sin.
By the grace of God, we are transformed in our lives through spiritual growth in Him. We are blessed with eternal life with Him.
Rather than focus on our “freedom to”, we should focus on our “freedom from”. Freedom from sin is the greatest gift we can be given!
Freed from the Law of Sin and Death
Romans 6:18
“Being made free from sin, you became bondservants of righteousness.”
Who we serve is not a multiple choice question. We will serve the law of sin and death away from God, or we will serve righteousness in relationship with God. There are no other choices.
When we serve righteousness as servants of God, He prepares us to turn away from the wicked ways, and instead pursue righteousness.
If this is a new concept to you, it may be difficult to grasp. It certainly doesn’t line up with what the world says. But we have a choice to make. We may think that we are serving ourselves and our own freedom when we don’t choose God, but we are really serving sin.
Freedom vs. License – A New Testament Perspective
1 Peter 2:15-16
“For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.”
When some people hear they are free from the law of sin, they might misunderstand it as an opportunity to do whatever they want. Regarding God’s grace as a free ticket, they assume that they can sin and just count on God’s forgiveness.
This doesn’t really reflect a surrendered heart, reminding us of the seed that fell among the thorns or on the rocky ground (Matthew 13).
Rather, when we are made free from the law of sin and eternal death, we instead are bondservants of righteousness.
We experience our freedom to serve Christ and not sin. We often have to make choices not to indulge in sin, and choose righteousness instead. Matthew 7:13-14 reminds us of that.
Matthew 7:13-14 ESV
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Choosing this path isn’t necessarily going to be easier, but you are not on your own! The Lord is with you.
True Freedom in Purpose and Joy from God’s Word
Psalm 119:45
“I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts.”
We can be in great conflict within ourselves when we have to make big decisions. Sometimes these decisions are clear, to do the right thing that God is calling us to do. Sometimes it is unclear as we wonder what God has to say about what we are going through.
That is one reason why staying in the Word with serious Bible study is so important. The more we know the Bible, the more likely we are to know God’s perspective on a variety of issues.
There might not be a passage that directly addresses our situation, but there are many principles that make it easier to know what God thinks about what we are facing.
Making a daily habit of studying the Scriptures is important! If you are just getting started, our monthly Bible reading plan linked below is a great place to begin.
The Rewards of Spiritual Freedom
James 1:25
“But he who looks into the perfect law of freedom and continues, not being a hearer who forgets, but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he does.”
The Lord wants us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). As we cherish our freedom to serve the Lord and be free of sin, this verse tells us that we will be blessed in what we do.
Some might read this and think, “Great! I’ll be rich, and life will be easy!” That is too narrow a view of blessing.
While sometimes God can and does give us those blessings, remember that we are encouraged to lay up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20), not earth. Let’s serve the Lord and accept what blessings He gives us in His timing.
Bible Reading Plan for July: True Freedom Through Faith
These Bible verses for July, and many more, are included in the True Freedom through Faith Bible Reading Plan, available in my Gumroad shop.
It’s a free download, but you can pay what you want. Feel free to enter $0 if you’d like to download this .pdf for free.
If you like the plan but it’s not July, it also includes a 31-Day Bible Reading Plan with no reference to the date.
It also includes these questions for Bible study and reflection.
- What does it mean to be made free from sin? (Romans 6:22-23)
- What does the Holy Spirit do in your life regarding sin? (Romans 8:2)
- How should we act as bondservants in Christ? (1 Peter 2:16)
- Write a prayer or prayer requests about finding freedom in Christ.
You can download the two versions of the Bible verses for July reading plan in my Gumroad store.
Not what you’re looking for? Take a look at these Bible reading plans for July.
- Kingdom Bloggers has a Bible reading plan about “Discerning the Enemy in a Modern World.”
- Alyssa Howard features a Bible reading plan on Freedom for her plan for July.
- Ladies Drawing Nigh has a scripture reading plan on Overcoming.
Bible reading plans can be useful for a quick devotion, for prayer prompts, for scripture writing, for family devotions, and more!
Let’s take a moment to pray for July and ask for God’s mercy for us as we seek out true freedom in our faith in Him.
Dear Lord,
I am so thankful for You! You have given us true freedom in You, that we are free from sin. We can now pursue righteousness and serve You!
Help me to cherish this freedom, and not claim some sort of false freedom that the world offers.
Show me ways to stay in Your Word, that I may follow Your precepts.
I love You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
If you liked Bible Verses for July, you may also like Prayers for July and 5 Prayer Points for America.
Our collection of articles for the Bible verses for each month series includes January, February, March, April (Easter), May, June, July, August, September, October, November (Thanksgiving), and December (Advent), as well as a roundup post with all the months.