Righteousness and freedom

"He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2: 24)

One thing I have learned about freedom this week is that freedom from the point of view of the kingdom is freedom from sin.  We pray usually for freedom from the spirit of fear, freedom from anxieties, freedom from debt and so on.  I am beginning to perceive that at the root of every type of enslavement or lack of freedom is sin.  This is a difficult admission to make for one who suffers from anxieties and at the same time is not conscious of any serious sin.

How do we explain this?  Perhaps the scripture below may offer some light:
"If we say, “We are without sin,” we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.
If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."  (1 John 1: 8 - 10)

Jesus Christ who bore our sins in His body upon the cross is both willing and able to free us from sin and the consequences of sin which is complete lack of freedom.  Living in righteousness is living in complete freedom.   "By his wounds you are healed."  (1 Peter 2: 24)