What does free mean? Sometimes it means there’s no cost for something—like a free lollipop. It can also mean we aren’t forced to do something—free to do what we want. These are true but not the full picture. The Bible tells us that we have freedom in Christ! Does that mean that we don’t have to listen to our parents? No. Does it mean we don’t have to work for a boss? No. Does it mean Christians who are slaves today (as many are around the world) will always be set free? No. Does it mean Christians who are in prison, like Paul was, will always be released? No. What then does it mean? It means that, through Jesus’s death, we have been “set free from sin” (Rom. 6:7). We don’t have to sin! We are free to live for God. As Jesus taught, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). More than that (although that is quite a lot!) we are to use this freedom to “serve one another” (Gal. 5:13). Peter puts it this way: “Live as people who are free. Live as servants [slaves!] of God! Love your brothers and sisters in Christ” (see 1 Pet. 2:16–17). If we believe in Jesus, we have been set free! Free to love God. Free to serve God. Free to love others. Free to treat every brother and sister in Christ as equals.