When we talk about freedom in Christ, we often picture the glorious moment when our chains fall off. The chains of addiction, shame, guilt, fear, and sin—broken by the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection. It’s a beautiful truth: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).
But here’s the deeper question: What if freedom isn’t just about the absence of chains? What if true freedom goes further—into how we live, how we worship, how we carry ourselves in the presence of God?
Too often, we stop at being “not bound.” We rejoice in the chains breaking, but we forget to walk in the new life that freedom offers. Freedom in Christ doesn’t just mean we’re free from sin—it means we’re free for something greater. Free to worship. Free to praise. Free to throw our hands in the air and shout hallelujah with every fiber of our being.
And yet… we don’t always do that. Why?
What Keeps Our Hands Down?
Let’s be honest—sometimes it’s not that we’re “just reserved.” Sometimes it’s fear. Pride. Insecurity. The worry of what people will think. The desire to appear in control. The belief that our worship has to look a certain way to be “dignified.” The truth is, these things can become new chains. And if we can’t lift our hands to the sky, we have to ask: What are we still a slave to?
Please hear this: There’s no rulebook that says worship has to look the same for everyone. God created us with different personalities, and some express joy more outwardly than others. That’s okay. But there’s something undeniable about the way joy, gratitude, and awe naturally move the body. Think about it: When someone wins the lottery or sees a long-lost friend, what do they do? They raise their arms. They leap. They shout. They celebrate.
Shouldn’t our response to being saved by Jesus stir an even greater reaction?
Worship Is a Reflection of Freedom
Worship isn’t a performance—it’s an overflow. It’s what spills out of our hearts when we remember who He is and what He’s done. If our hearts are full of awe, reverence, and thanksgiving, that will show. And if it doesn’t—if our heads are down, our arms crossed, our mouths silent—then we have to ask why.
Is it pride? Is it fear of judgment? Is it apathy? Whatever it is, Jesus didn’t just die to break the chains you know about. He died to break the chains you haven’t even named yet.
Break More Than Your Chains
So here’s the invitation: Don’t just stop at the broken chains. Step fully into the freedom Jesus bought for you. A freedom that lifts your head, raises your hands, and worships without fear. Let your heart speak louder than your insecurities. Let your gratitude speak louder than your pride. Let your praise speak louder than your past.
Yes, some of us will always be more reserved than others. That’s not the point. The point is—does your worship reflect your freedom? Does it reflect your love, your joy, your wonder? You don’t have to shout. You don’t have to dance. But you should feel free to do both. If you don’t, ask yourself what’s holding you back.
Because we weren’t just set free to stop sinning—we were set free to start living. To start worshiping. To start praising. And to do it with everything we have.
Jesus broke the chains.
Why not raise your hands so all can see?
