I remember hearing Ken Ham speaking about a time he used 1 John 1:9. A woman approached him after one of his talks, and feeling convicted, she asked "what if someone like me has had an abortion?" Ken's response was to tell her that the Bible says if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. She thanked him gratefully. Evidently, the same talk that had convicted her also allowed her to be cleansed of her guilt.
This is true freedom. Freedom like the world will never know. To the unbeliever, true freedom is freedom to sin. But freedom from sin is far greater. The Bible says that whoever sins is a slave to sin. You might think you're free if you're able to sleep around with whoever you want, especially if any consequences you face can be negated at someone else's expense, but in reality, this is bondage. It is like a drug addict. "I can stop any time", as they say.
But the truth is, truth offends sinners because they are not free, and they know it. True freedom comes only from Christ. A child, living under their parent's rules, may feel restricted, but how many of you would be grateful to your parents today if they had let you live as you pleased when you were young? Freedom comes from Christ, because the chains that held us captive were instead placed around His neck. He received our prison sentence, and so we walk out of the courtroom with our case completely dismissed. That is freedom.
Recommended song: Wolves at the Gate - Convicted