If I’m saved, why don’t I feel free?

Perhaps I'm too introspective, but as I celebrated the 4th of July this year, I began to ask myself, "What is true freedom?"

When I think about our culture, freedom seems to mean the ability to live unfettered, unattached, and unencumbered. The word freedom currently carries the connotation that we can live how we want with no strings attached, and anything less is oppressive.

What comes to mind when you hear the word "freedom"? Here are some of my thoughts:

A prisoner released—freedom from bondage.

An addict's recovery—freedom from a destructive habit.

Escape from an abusive situation—freedom from oppression.

A healthy work environment—freedom from misery.

A dream fulfilled—freedom from waiting.

A driver's license—freedom to travel.

But is that all freedom is? Release from something bad? Or is true freedom actually for something greater?

This summer, I've been preaching about the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt and their journey to the promised land. I've thought long and hard about how they felt after they left Egypt and Pharaoh's army chased them to the borders of the Red Sea.

Scripture tells us they became afraid and angry with Moses because it seemed he had led them out of Egypt only to be slaughtered. "They said to Moses: 'Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Isn't this what we told you in Egypt: Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness' (Exodus 14:11-12)."

In that moment, their "freedom" felt more like a death sentence.

But God comes through. He splits the Red Sea, destroys the Egyptian army, and guides, provides, and protects them on their journey to the promised land.

However, when they reach this "promised land," Moses' spies report that the land is too fortified to conquer. Once again, I imagine they struggled to feel like God's special and chosen people (Numbers 13:26-33). In their fear and discouragement, they questioned God's heart toward them, saying, "The Lord brought us out of the land of Egypt to hand us over to the Amorites in order to destroy us, because he hates us" (Deuteronomy 1:27).

Can you imagine? They believed the Lord HATED them.

I don't think they were feeling free in those moments, but rather like weary, homeless wanderers. Perhaps their bodies were free, but their hearts still felt enslaved.

Have you ever met Jesus followers who feel the same way? Frustrated, discouraged, or confused about what God is doing in their lives? It's easy to judge the Israelites from a distance—until we realize we sometimes struggle with the very same doubts and questions about God.

The Beautiful Paradox of True Freedom

The purpose of this blog isn't to discourage you, friend, but rather to share a beautiful paradox I've discovered about freedom—one that might bring hope to wherever you find yourself today.

When we trusted Jesus with our salvation, He unlocked the shackles binding us to sin. What a gift! But I've come to realize this is the first step toward the freedom we long for, not the last. After Jesus has removed sin's shackles, Scripture invites us into something even more wonderful: becoming wholly devoted to righteousness.

Paul describes this invitation in Romans 6:

"Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness" (Romans 6:16-18).

Here's the beautiful paradox: true freedom comes through willing surrender to His will and His ways.

When you read the full story of the Exodus—including those challenging books of Leviticus and Numbers—you discover that God freed the Israelites from Pharaoh's oppressive rule, but He lovingly invited them to embrace His law. Freedom isn't about living however we want whenever we want. It's about being released from the destructive power of sin so we can live the righteous, abundant life we were created for.

God didn't rescue the Israelites only to leave them wandering aimlessly through the desert. His freedom came with purpose and direction—a loving framework to help them flourish in relationship with Him and each other.

Living in True Freedom Today

Friends, the same beautiful truth applies to us today. Jesus has freed us from the eternal consequences of sin, but we still navigate the battle with our sin nature. True freedom doesn't come from treating His grace casually, but from joyfully choosing righteousness over the patterns that once enslaved us.

Galatians 5:1 says, "For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm then and don't submit again to a yoke of slavery." The "yoke of slavery" in this verse represents our old flesh patterns. When God lovingly calls us toward righteous living, it's tempting to feel restricted or to worry that He's disappointed in us. We might even be tempted to return to what's familiar, even if it was harmful. But He's inviting us to something better: to stand firm in freedom by choosing His ways over the patterns that once held us captive.

Think about it: Freedom without purpose and direction often doesn't feel like freedom at all.

Women rescued from trafficking don't truly experience freedom until they discover their purpose and worth. Those recovering from addiction need loving accountability and healthy structure to sustain their freedom. Even drivers need traffic laws to create safe roads for everyone. And fulfilling a dream still requires dedication, discipline, and perseverance to make it last.

The boundaries God offers aren't restrictions—they're the very framework that makes lasting freedom possible.

An Invitation to Reflect

So here's my gentle question for you today: Are there areas in your life where you're longing for freedom but finding it elusive? Could it be that Jesus is inviting you to trust Him more fully in that very area?

Sometimes our struggle isn't that God is holding back freedom—it's that we're hesitating to fully receive the freedom He's already offering through surrender to His loving leadership.

All this is said with deep care for your journey. I hope these words encourage you wherever you are today! I'm praying you'll continue to grow in the freedom Christ has for you.

Until next time, -Sharie

© 2018 by Sharie King. All rights reserved.