Born Free: Understanding Your Spiritual Journey

An abstract of Jim Congdon’s sermon on November 24, 2024, in the Galatians series. Watch the sermon video here.

Have you ever felt stuck in a cycle of trying to be a "good Christian" but constantly falling short? You're not alone. The Bible offers a powerful message of freedom that might surprise you.

The Battle Inside You

Imagine your inner life as a battlefield. On one side, there's what the Bible calls the "flesh" - not just your physical body, but your natural tendency to be selfish and do things your own way. On the other side is the Holy Spirit, who wants to guide you toward a better path.

When you become a Christian, something amazing happens. You're given a new nature - one that wants to follow God. But your old nature doesn't give up easily. It's like having two different voices inside you, constantly arguing.

What Does "Flesh" Really Mean?

The word "flesh" isn't just about your body. It represents your old way of living - always thinking about yourself first, trying to control everything, and ignoring God's guidance. Sometimes this looks like obvious sins like anger or jealousy. Other times, it's more subtle - like always needing to be right or struggling to forgive.

You're Not Failing - You're Growing

Here's the good news: feeling this inner conflict doesn't mean you're a bad Christian. In fact, it's a sign that God's Spirit is working in you! Before knowing Jesus, you didn't even notice this battle. Now, you're becoming more aware of how you can choose a different path.

Walking with the Spirit

Instead of trying to follow a long list of rules or giving up entirely, the Bible invites you to something simpler: walk with the Holy Spirit. Think of it like having a helpful friend who's always beside you, guiding your steps.

Each morning, you can say something like, "God, help me today to show love, to choose joy, to bring peace." It's not about being perfect, but about being open to God's help.

The Fruit of a Spirit-Led Life

When you walk with the Spirit, something beautiful happens. The Bible describes this as "fruit" - qualities like love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness. These aren't things you manufacture through hard work, but gifts that grow naturally as you stay connected to God.

Freedom, Not Performance

The most important thing to remember? You're not saved by how well you perform. You're saved by God's grace. Your job isn't to be perfect, but to stay open to God's work in your life.

A Daily Choice

Living a spirit-led life is a daily choice. Some days will be easier than others. You'll make mistakes - and that's okay. What matters is that you keep turning back to God, asking for His help.

Your Invitation

If you're tired of feeling like you're never "good enough," this message is for you. God invites you to a life of freedom - not freedom to do whatever you want, but freedom to become who you were always meant to be.

You were born free. Now, live free.

Want to learn more about finding freedom in faith? Check out our Galatians series sermon videos.