Pastor Brad - I'm Free Lyrics
Lyrics
Verse 1
I hear a lot of people have got a lot of thoughts
'bout what's right and 'bout what's not
They're quotin' scripture like it's goin' outta style
legalistic mindsets trapped in the ranking file
Pre-Chorus
'twas a beautiful day when I finally understood
that it's all about Jesus and the cross. He's so good.
I don't have to work for salvation any more
Just love Jesus. He's the one I'm livin' for
Chorus
Justified by the blood of the lamb
Sanctified by the great I AM
And I'm free, yes I'm free
Oh I'm free, yes I'm free
Woah I'm Freeeeeeeeeeee!
In Christ
Verse 2
I use to get angry. I use to get mad.
It had to be my way or I was sad.
I didn't understand about relationship
I knew the rules, that's about it
Pre-Chorus
Chorus
Instrumental solo
And I'm free, yes I'm free
Oh I'm free, yes I'm free
Woah I'm Freeeeeeeeeeee!
In Christ
Video
80s Christian Metal – I’m In You - Instrumental (Audio) - Pastor Brad
Meaning & Inspiration
Pastor Brad’s song, “I’m Free,” emerges as a powerful declaration of spiritual liberation, resonating with the raw energy reminiscent of 80s Christian metal while delivering a timeless message. Released as part of his musical contributions, this track doesn't just offer an anthem; it presents a profound theological statement wrapped in a personal testimony. The song’s essence captures the pivotal moment of understanding that genuine faith transcends mere adherence to rules, ushering in an era of grace and true freedom found solely in Christ. It directly challenges the weariness of a performance-based spirituality, inviting listeners into the profound simplicity and power of the Gospel.
The narrative of "I'm Free" unfolds by first addressing the pervasive human tendency to overcomplicate faith. The opening lines immediately confront the "legalistic mindsets" that often entangle believers, caught in endless debates about what's "right" and "not" and quoting scripture without grasping its liberating core. This mirrors the Apostle Paul’s earnest pleas in Galatians, where he laments those who started in the Spirit but attempted to be perfected by the flesh, reminding us in Galatians 5:1 that "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." The pre-chorus then brilliantly pivots, marking the "beautiful day" of revelation when the truth crystallized: salvation is "all about Jesus and the cross." This understanding instantly nullifies the need to "work for salvation," aligning perfectly with Ephesians 2:8-9, which states, "For by grace you have been saved through faith... not by works, so that no one can boast." It’s a profound shift from striving to simply loving Jesus, recognizing His completed work as the cornerstone of our existence.
The chorus then erupts with an unbridled celebration of this newfound liberty, articulating the twin pillars of Christian transformation: "Justified by the blood of the lamb, Sanctified by the great I AM." To be justified means to be declared righteous, made right with God not through personal merit but through the sacrificial atonement of Jesus, the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Romans 5:9 confirms this, declaring that "we have now been justified by his blood." Following this, sanctification describes the ongoing process of being set apart for God’s purposes, made holy by His Spirit, a work initiated and sustained by the "great I AM" – a direct reference to God's self-revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:14, signifying His eternal, self-existent nature. This dual act of justification and sanctification is the foundation of the resounding cry, "I'm free, yes I'm free, in Christ," echoing John 8:36, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." This freedom is not license, but liberation from sin’s dominion and the tyranny of religious performance.
Pastor Brad further personalizes this journey in the second verse, sharing a testimony of past struggles with anger and a rigid, "my way or I was sad" mentality. This speaks to the frustration and relational breakdown that often accompany a rule-based understanding of faith, where one “knew the rules, that’s about it,” but lacked genuine relationship. This sentiment reflects the condition Paul describes in Romans 7, where the law, though good, could not provide life but rather highlighted sin, leading to internal conflict. The transformation described is a move from understanding commandments to understanding covenant, from legal codes to loving connection. The repetition of the pre-chorus and chorus after this verse underscores the enduring solution to such inner turmoil: the unchanging truth of Jesus’s sacrifice and the resulting freedom. The instrumental solo that follows offers a moment for reflection, allowing the weight of these truths to settle and resonate, before the final, emphatic declaration of freedom reinforces the song's core message. "I'm Free" by Pastor Brad is more than just a song; it's an encouraging anthem for anyone who has felt burdened by religiosity, pointing them back to the simple yet radical truth that true freedom is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ, whose work on the cross has forever set us free.