What Does it Really Mean to be Free?
An abstract of Jeremy McGrath’s sermon on November 17, 2024, in the Galatians series. Watch the sermon video here.
Have you ever watched kids who spend all their time playing video games try to play outside? They often look lost, unsure what to do with their newfound freedom. This perfectly captures how we sometimes feel about spiritual freedom – we know we have it, but we're not quite sure what to do with it.
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul tackles this exact challenge. He explains that true freedom isn't just about being released from something – it's about being freed for something better.
Breaking Free from the Weight
Imagine carrying a heavy backpack everywhere you go. Inside are all your attempts to be "good enough" for God: your perfect church attendance, your volunteer hours, your attempts to never mess up. That's what Paul calls "self-justification" – trying to earn your way to heaven. It's exhausting, and worse, it doesn't work.
Paul tells us that when we try to earn our salvation through good works, we're actually putting ourselves back under a burden we were never meant to carry. It's like telling someone they won a free vacation but then handing them a bill for it. It doesn't make sense!
What Freedom Isn't
But here's where it gets interesting. Paul warns about two common mistakes we make with our freedom:
Thinking freedom means we get to make up our own rules
Believing freedom means we have no responsibilities at all
It's like getting your driver's license. Yes, you're free to drive, but that doesn't mean you can ignore traffic laws or never use your car to help others. Your freedom has a purpose.
The True Meaning of Freedom
So, what is real freedom in Christ? Paul explains it's "loving obedience without fear or burden." That might sound strange – how can obedience be freedom?
Think about learning to play music. At first, following the rules of music might feel restrictive. But once you master them, they give you the freedom to create beautiful songs. In the same way, following God's way of love doesn't restrict us – it frees us to become who we were meant to be.
Freedom with a Purpose
Paul tells us we're freed to love. Not just a little bit, but more and more each day. It's not about finding the minimum requirements for being "good enough." Instead, it's about growing in love like a plant reaching toward the sun.
This means:
We don't have to fear God's rejection if we mess up
We're free to focus on loving others instead of proving ourselves
We can grow at our own pace, guided by the Holy Spirit
Living in Freedom Today
What does this mean for your life? Here are some practical questions to consider:
Are you carrying burdens Jesus already took care of?
Do you separate your life into "God time" and "my time"?
Have you gotten too comfortable where you are?
Remember, you don't have to be perfect. That's the whole point! You're free to grow in love day by day, knowing that God's acceptance of you isn't based on your performance but on His grace.
The amazing thing about this freedom is that it's already yours if you trust in Jesus. You don't have to earn it. You just get to live in it and learn to use it well – not to do whatever you want, but to love God and others more fully each day.
Want to learn more about finding freedom in faith? Check out our Galatians series sermon videos.