Christ is the Only Way to Freedom

by Rick Warren — February 16, 2025
From Life's Healing Choices

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

God wants you to live a life of freedom. He wants you to break free from the habits that control you and drag you down. He wants you to live without the pain and hurt that holds you captive to the past. He wants you to breathe in the fresh air of freedom that God provides through Christ. 

The Bible tells us, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1 NIV).

This freedom is based on choosing hope—choosing to believe that God exists, that you matter to him, and that he has the power to help you change and set you free. 

But God’s path to freedom is very different from ours. We often think freedom comes through escape. We try to find comfort and hope as quickly as possible—avoiding the process God uses to bring true healing.

For some, escape means alcohol, drugs, gambling, pornography, shopping, food, or even work. Even self-pity can become an escape, pulling us into dark places where we think we’ll find relief.

But these temporary escapes only provide momentary relief. In the end, they leave us empty—or even addicted.

God’s path to freedom requires that we face our faults, our hurts, or the habits that control us. In fact, God wants us to mourn these things. Mourning means you admit what you’ve lost and what you’ve messed up. It means you stop pretending you can escape your way into freedom and admit that this world cannot provide you with real and lasting freedom.

Only God can.

The moment you admit and mourn these things, God can bring you real comfort and strength. And that will lead to freedom as God transforms your life. Matthew 5:4 says: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (NIV).

Here’s the truth: it is an illusion to think you can escape into a comfortable life that will lead to freedom. You can only get there through God—by admitting you’re lost and facing what is true and real so God can meet you there.

Consider this prayer: “Lord, help me accept that my only hope for freedom comes through you. Help me to stop escaping and start trusting you. Help me to see that you are the only path to freedom and hope. Amen.”

Talk It Over

  • What does true freedom in Christ mean to you, and how have you experienced it in your life?
  • What are some ways you may have sought escape rather than facing your pain or struggles? How did those escapes affect you in the long run?
  • How can acknowledging your hurts, faults, or losses open the door for God to bring real comfort and healing?

If you haven’t trusted in Jesus, why wait any longer?

Your sins separate you from God. And it is only God’s grace that can get you back into right relationship with him.

The Bible says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).


If you’re ready to make peace with your Creator, then pray this prayer:

“Dear Jesus, I don’t want my sin to separate me from you any longer. I’ve looked for the truth about my life in many places, but now I know the truth is only found in you. You have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.

“I confess my sin, and I believe you are my Savior. You have promised that if I confess my sin and trust you, I will be saved. I trust you when you say salvation comes by grace, through faith, and not by anything I do. I receive you into my life as my Lord. Today, I’m turning over every part of my life to your management.

“I want to live the way you created me to live and use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I commit my life to you and ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at [email protected] and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.


Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.