How does Holy Scripture speak of this deliverance?
The Holy Scriptures teach that through Christ we are delivered from sin: “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the Name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Act 2:38–39; see Q248, Q291); “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph 1:7).
Jesus Christ also delivers us from the curse, which comes as the consequence of sin: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for our sake” (Gal 3:13; see Q490, Q607). This is also proclaimed in the rite of preparation of the Divine Liturgy (the proskomedia, or Office of Oblation):
You have redeemed us from the curse of the law by your precious Blood: by being nailed to the Cross and pierced by the spear, you have become a fountain of immortality for all people. O our Savior, glory to you! (Office of Oblation, Liturgy of St John Chrysostom)
Jesus Christ likewise delivers us from death, as the Scriptures emphasize: “Since the children have shared in flesh and blood, he likewise shared the same human nature, so that through death he might bring to nothing the one who had the power of death (the devil) and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery… he had to be made like his brethren in all things, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people” (Heb 2:14–17; see Q047, Q155).
Truly, Christ has set us free from all those things which the Deceiver and his slaves present as “freedom” but which are in fact slavery: “They promise them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for whoever is overcome by someone, to him he is enslaved” (2Pe 2:19; see Q373).
By contrast, God the Father is truly free, and offers through Christ Jesus the gift of true freedom:
If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free… everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed (Joh 8:31–36).
St Paul is likewise the apostle of this freedom: “Stand firm therefore in the freedom by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of slavery” (Gal 5:1; see Q490); “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and of death” (Rom 8:2).
