April 9, 2025 • 22 mins
Have you ever achieved everything society says should make you happy, yet still felt an inexplicable emptiness? That was my reality—a beautiful home, loving family, successful career—and a persistent void that nothing could fill.
From being dropped off at church as a child to dropping off my own children years later, I believed adults should be self-sufficient, creating happiness through hard work and material success. That all changed one day at my desk when, feeling that familiar emptiness, I uttered a genuine prayer: "God, if you are really out there..." What followed was a heart transformation so profound I couldn't deny something beyond myself had occurred—my first real evidence that God existed.
The Freedom Formula explores how freedom in Christ liberates us from sin's bondage, legalism's constraints, and fear's paralysis. Through scriptural foundations like Galatians 5:1 and Romans 8:1, we discover that spiritual freedom isn't merely intellectual but carries profound implications for daily life—from approaching God without condemnation to loving others selflessly. We examine how embracing the mind of Christ develops character traits including love, compassion, humility, and servant leadership that reflect His nature in our lives.
My journey from church drop-off kid to ordained pastor took 12½ years, but God remained present throughout, strengthening and carrying me when necessary. True fulfillment comes not from external achievements but from alignment with our Creator. Ready to discover how filling that God-shaped void in your heart can transform everything? Download our resources at faithbuildingclub.com and join us on this journey to authentic spiritual freedom.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Are you truly walking in the freedom that grace and
truth offer, or are old beliefsstill holding you back?
Imagine breaking free from therestraint of old habits that no
longer benefit you.
What could you accomplish ifyou fully embrace spiritual
freedom?
If you wish for a life whereyour true potential is unleashed
(00:21):
through the transformativepower of God's grace, then this
episode the Freedom Formula, isfor you.
Are you feeling a bit swampedwith your weekly Bible study
prep, wondering how to make yourlessons both engaging and
impactful, searching for freshinsights to inspire and
spiritually nourish your group?
Well, you are in the rightplace.
(00:42):
Our sound wisdom Bible studylessons are here to make your
preparation easier, revive yourteaching and profoundly enrich
your group's faith journey.
Let's embark on this adventuretogether, but first let me tell
you about my faith building club.
You'll find over eight monthsof printable resources crafted
just for Christians.
These include everything fromprayer and devotional journals
(01:05):
to detailed Bible study lessonsand reading plans, all designed
to deepen your connection withthe Word and bring fresh
perspectives to your weeklystudies.
For more details and to join,check out the link in the show
notes.
Hi, I'm Paula, a follower ofJesus, a grandma of six and a
retired pastor with a heart forempowering believers, ready to
(01:26):
get started, grab your Bibles,your printable resources and
prepare your heart for insightsfrom God.
A young girl dropped off atchurch by her parents grew up
thinking church was only forchildren.
As an adult, she mirrored herparents' actions, attending
church only to drop off her ownkids.
She believed adults should beself-sufficient, working hard to
(01:49):
achieve happiness throughmaterial success.
Despite acquiring a nice house,a faithful husband and three
beautiful children, she felt aninexplicable emptiness, a
God-shaped hole in her heart.
She later realized this voidstemmed from a separation from
God, a human condition tracingback to the beginning of time.
(02:11):
Well, guess what?
That little girl was me.
You see, I had chosen the path,the wide path that taught this
life is all there is and you arein charge of making it good.
I truly believed that this lifewas my only chance for
happiness and in my misguidedunderstanding, I assumed that
(02:31):
after this earthly life, aperson just simply ceased to
exist.
And because of my childhoodexperience as a church drop-off
kid, I really didn't evenbelieve there was a God.
And, of course, if I didn'tbelieve there was a God, why in
the world would I believe therewas a heaven, or even a hell?
(02:51):
It just didn't make sense to me, and so, when you think about
all of that, well, it's reallynot surprising that I didn't
come into a saving relationshipwith Jesus Christ as a child, or
even as a young adult.
The most amazing thing, though,is this God waited patiently for
my heart to be ready for themiraculous change that he had in
store for his little girl.
(03:11):
I remember it well I wassitting at the desk in the game
room of our 4,200 square foothome, and I was feeling that
empty feeling in my heart, and Ibegan to pray, really pray.
For the first time in my life,I begin to pray as though there
just might be someone out thereto hear me.
I begin praying and saying God,if you are really out there,
(03:37):
and at that moment, God broughtback to my memory a verse of
scripture that I had learned asa child.
It was the verse in Matthew,where Jesus says come to me all
you who are weary and carryingheavy burdens, and I will give
you rest.
And I said, God, if it isreally true that I can have that
(03:58):
rest, if I can have that peacethat Jesus says I can have.
I want him in my heart, I wantto give my life to him, and at
that moment my heart was changed.
The way that I saw God, theworld around me, other people
and myself was completelydifferent.
And as I sat there thinking, Isaid to myself now, I didn't
(04:20):
bargain for that.
I didn't even know that myheart could be changed or needed
to be changed like that.
And then a light bulb went offin my mind.
As the logical thinking personthat I am, I realized that I
didn't change my heart, but thatmy heart was definitely changed
, and so I had to ask thequestion well, who did that?
(04:43):
If it wasn't me who changed myheart, who did that?
Then I realized that it wassomething outside of myself that
had changed my heart, and atthat moment I finally believed
that God was real.
I began to experience a joy andpeace and contentment like I
(05:04):
had never experienced before.
I was filled with anunquenchable desire to read the
Bible, and would do so two and ahalf times in the next four
months.
I also began to feel a tug onmy heart to serve as a pastor in
God's church.
Now I can't say that it waseasy.
In fact, it was quite theopposite.
It was a 12 and a half yearjourney from call to ordination,
(05:28):
but amazingly, God was therefor me the whole way,
strengthening me, encouraging meand carrying me when need be.
Join me now as we explore howaligning with our Creator, God,
can truly lead to fulfillmentand purpose in life.
(05:51):
The concept of freedom in Christis grounded in the
transformative power of God'sgrace.
It signifies liberation fromthe power of sin, legalism and
the constraints of the old self.
John 1:17 lets us know that thelaw was given by Moses, but
grace and truth came by JesusChrist.
As Christians, ourunderstanding of freedom is
closely tied to our relationshipwith Jesus and the work of the
(06:18):
Holy Spirit in our lives.
Let's begin with thefoundational scripture that
speaks to the essence of freedomin Christ.
Galatians 5, verse 1, says Forfreedom, Christ has set us free.
Stand firm, therefore, and donot submit again to a yoke of
slavery.
This verse serves as acornerstone for this lesson.
(06:41):
It emphasizes the idea thatChrist has set believers free
and encourages them not toreturn to the bondage of
legalism or (the Law) and sin.
What are we freed from?
Well, first of all, we havefreedom from sin.
Romans 6, verses 6 through 7,says we know that our old self
(07:05):
was crucified with him so thatthe body of sin might be
destroyed and we might no longerbe enslaved to sin.
For whoever has died is freedfrom sin.
One of the primary aspects offreedom in Christ is the
deliverance from the bondage ofsin.
The Apostle Paul, in his letterto the Romans, makes it
(07:31):
abundantly clear that believersare no longer slaves to sin.
Through Christ's sacrificialdeath and resurrection, we have
been set free from the power anddominion of sin.
This freedom empowers us tolive righteous lives, breaking
the destructive cycles of ourpast and embracing a new way of
living in accordance with God'swill.
Romans 6, verse 14, says Forsin will have no dominion over
(07:53):
you, since you are not under thelaw but under grace.
This verse underscores theshift that occurs when a person
becomes a believer Instead ofbeing under the dominion of sin,
they come under the liberatinginfluence of grace.
As a result, sin no longerholds sway over our lives and we
are set free to live inaccordance with God's righteous
(08:14):
standards.
In Romans 8, verse 2, we hear,for the law of the Spirit of
life in Christ, Jesus has setyou free from the law of sin and
of death.
In this verse we see thecontrast between the law of sin
and death and the law of thespirit of life in Christ.
Believers are no longer subjectto the condemning power of sin,
(08:36):
but are made free through thework of the Holy Spirit,
allowing us to live victoriously.
In 1 John 3, verse 9, we hearthose who have been born of God
do not sin because God's seedabides in them.
They cannot sin because theyhave been born of God.
This verse speaks to the newnature of a believer.
(08:57):
Being born of God means thatbelievers are fundamentally
transformed and sin no longerdominates our lives.
We are free from the pattern ofhabitual sin and empowered to
live righteously.
And then there's freedom fromthe law or legalism.
Galatians 5, verse 1, says Forfreedom, Christ has set us free.
(09:20):
Stand firm, therefore, and donot submit again to a yoke of
slavery.
The freedom in Christ is notmerely a release from the
bondage of sin, but also fromthe burdens of legalism.
Paul's words in Galatianshighlight that believers are
called to live in the freedomthat Christ offers, rather than
(09:42):
reverting to a mindset of strictadherence to the law.
This freedom allows believersto serve God out of love and
gratitude rather than fear ofpunishment or legalistic
regulations.
In Romans 7, verse 6, we hearbut now we are discharged from
the law, dead to that which heldus captive, so that we are
(10:04):
slaves, not under the oldwritten code but in the new life
of the Spirit.
This passage lets us know thatbelievers have been delivered
from the law.
We are no longer bound by itsstrict requirements, but are
called to serve God in thenewness of the Spirit.
This new way of serving ischaracterized by the heart's
(10:27):
inclination towards God's willand the empowerment of the Holy
Spirit.
Galatians 2, verse 16, says weknow that a person is justified
not by the works of the law butthrough faith in Jesus Christ.
And we have come to believe inJesus Christ so that we might be
justified by faith in Christand not by doing the works of
(10:47):
the law, because no one will bejustified by the works of the
law.
Paul's teachings in Galatiansemphasize the point that
justification comes not throughadherence to the law but through
faith in Jesus Christ.
This is a pivotal aspect offreedom in Christ, as believers
no longer need to strive to earntheir salvation through their
(11:11):
own efforts.
And then there's freedom to loveand serve.
Galatians, 5, verse 13 tells usFor you were called to freedom,
brothers and sisters, only donot use your freedom as an
opportunity for self-indulgence,but, through love, become
slaves to one another.
In other words, freedom inChrist is not a license for
(11:33):
self-indulgence or the pursuitof our own desires.
Instead, it empowers believersto serve one another in love.
The liberty found in Christencourages selfless actions and
expressions of love toward allpeople.
1 Peter, 2, verse 16 admonishesus, As servants of God, live as
(11:54):
free people, yet do not use yourfreedom as a pretext for evil.
Peter's exhortation reinforcesthe idea that freedom in Christ
should not be misused forselfish purposes or to engage in
sinful behavior.
Instead, it is a freedom toserve God and others with a
heart characterized by love andselflessness.
(12:18):
And then there's freedom fromfear.
2 Timothy, chapter 1, verse 7,says For God did not give us a
spirit of cowardice, but rathera spirit of power and of love
and of self-discipline.
Freedom in Christ isaccompanied by a sense of
boldness and courage.
Believers are assured that feardoes not come from God.
(12:40):
Instead, we are empowered bythe Spirit to face life's
challenges with confidence,knowing that God is with us.
Next, freedom to approach God.
Hebrews 4, verse 16 says Let ustherefore approach the throne
of grace with boldness, so thatwe may receive mercy and find
grace to help in time of need.
(13:00):
One of the remarkable aspectsof freedom in Christ is the
unhindered access it provides toGod.
Believers are encouraged toapproach God's throne with
confidence, knowing that we willfind mercy and grace when we
are in need.
This direct access to God is aprivilege of our freedom in
(13:21):
Christ.
Here are a few practicalimplications.
Understanding the concept offreedom in Christ is not merely
an intellectual exercise.
It carries huge implicationsfor our daily lives as believers
.
Let's explore how this freedomplays out practically.
Romans 8, verse 1, assures usthere is therefore no
(13:45):
condemnation in those who are inChrist Jesus.
Freedom in Christ means thatthe guilt and condemnation that
often burden our hearts areremoved.
We are not judged based on ourpast sins, but are regarded as
righteous in God's sight.
This freedom from guilt andcondemnation has a
(14:05):
transformative effect on ourrelationship with God.
It allows us to approach himwith confidence, knowing that
his love and forgiveness areavailable to us.
We no longer need to live inthe shadow of our past mistakes,
but instead we can focus ongrowing in our faith and
relationship with God.
(14:26):
As mentioned earlier, freedom inChrist empowers us to love and
serve others.
Galatians 5:13 admonishesbelievers to, through love,
become slaves to one another.
This freedom liberates us fromself-centeredness and encourages
us to love our neighbors, carefor the needy and be instruments
(14:47):
of God's grace in the world.
This love is not limited tomere sentiment, but is expressed
through actions that benefitothers.
It prompts us to seekopportunities to show kindness,
compassion and empathy.
In doing so, we become channelsthrough which God's love is
made manifest in the lives ofthose we encounter.
(15:08):
Freedom in Christ is not just arelease from the power of sin,
but also an empowerment toovercome it.
Romans 6, verse 14 declares Forsin will have no dominion over
you, since you are not under thelaw but under grace.
This verse emphasizes thatbelievers are no longer under
the dominion of sin and sin doesnot have the final say in their
(15:31):
lives.
The practical implication ofthis truth is that believers can
break free from the destructivecycles of sin that once bound
them.
We can actively resisttemptation, rely on the Holy
Spirit's guidance and adopt newgodly habits.
This process of sanctification,which occurs through the
(15:52):
empowerment of the Holy Spirit,allows us to grow and to become
more like Christ.
The Apostle Paul beautifullyarticulates the idea that the
believer's life is now lived inChrist, saying it is no longer I
(16:26):
who live, but it is Christ wholives in me and the life I now
live in the flesh I live byfaith in the Son of God, who
loved me and gave himself for me.
This passage highlights thetransformation that takes place
in the life of a believer.
We no longer live according toour flesh and our own desires,
but for God's will.
This freedom to pursue God'swill means that decisions,
choices and actions are guidedby a desire to align with God's
purposes.
The practical implications ofthis freedom include seeking
God's guidance in major lifedecisions, serving in the church
(16:47):
and community and striving tolive in accordance with biblical
principles.
It involves a conscious effortto discern and follow God's will
in our daily life.
2 Peter, chapter 3, verse 18,says but grow in the grace and
knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
(17:07):
To him be glory both now andforever, amen.
Let's dive a little deeper intoknowing the mind of Christ
given to Christians.
If we have the mind of Christ.
It should be evident to thosearound us.
So let's talk about thecharacter traits that Christ
longs to pass on to those wholove and follow him.
(17:31):
Love Jesus is often described asthe embodiment of love.
He not only preached love, butdemonstrated it through his
actions, including healing thesick, feeding the hungry and
even sacrificing his life on thecross for the redemption of
humanity.
His command to love one anotheris central to his teachings.
(17:51):
Compassion Christ showed deepcompassion for people,
especially those who weresuffering or marginalized.
He had empathy for the sick,the poor and the outcast, and he
frequently reached out to them,healing their physical and
spiritual wounds.
Humility Though Jesus was Godmanifested in the flesh, he
(18:15):
exhibited humility by taking onhuman form, being born in a
humble manger and associatingwith outcasts.
He also demonstrated humilityin numerous other ways, such as
washing his disciples' feet, asymbolic act of service.
Servant leadership Jesus is theultimate example of servant
(18:36):
leadership.
He taught that to be great inGod's kingdom is to serve others
.
He emphasized that leadersshould be like servants, not
seeking power or prestige, butserving with humility.
Forgiveness Christ exemplifiedforgiveness throughout his life,
even forgiving those whocrucified him.
He taught the importance offorgiving others and emphasized
(19:00):
that forgiveness is a key aspectof God's grace.
Truth and integrity.
Jesus is described as the truthJohn 14, verse 6, and he
consistently spoke the truth.
He was unwavering in hisintegrity and his teachings
emphasized honesty, transparencyand moral uprightness.
(19:23):
Grace and mercy.
Christ's ministry was marked byhis offering of grace and mercy
to sinners.
He forgave those who came tohim seeking redemption and
offered the gift of eternal lifethrough faith in him.
Holiness as the sinless Son ofGod, Jesus exemplified holiness.
(19:45):
He called his followers tostrive for holiness and purity
of heart, teaching that thosewho are pure in heart would see
God.
Teaching and Wisdom.
Christ's teaching wascharacterized by profound wisdom
.
He used parables and stories toconvey deep spiritual truths.
His teachings continue toprovide guidance and insight for
(20:09):
Christian living.
Courage and faith.
Jesus displayed immense courageand faith throughout his life.
He faced opposition,persecution and, ultimately, the
crucifixion, but he remainedsteadfast in his mission and
trust in God, the Father.
Healer.
Christ is often referred to asthe great physician for his
(20:32):
miraculous healing of physicaland spiritual ailments.
His ability to heal the sickand raise the dead demonstrated
his divine nature.
Friend of sinners, Jesus wascriticized by religious leaders
for associating with sinners andtax collectors.
He reached out to those whowere considered outcasts,
emphasizing his desire for allto come to repentance.
(20:55):
Patience.
Christ exhibited patience,especially with his disciples,
who often struggled tounderstand his teachings.
He gently guided them andexplained what his parables
meant so they could grow intheir faith.
Gentleness and kindness, Jesusinteracted with people with
(21:24):
gentleness and kindness,providing a safe space for them
to come to him with theirburdens and questions.
Obedience to God Above all.
Jesus' characteristic ofobedience to God, the Father, is
paramount.
He willingly submitted to God'splan for salvation, even when
faced with the prospect ofcrucifixion.
Okay, now it's your turn.
Download your resource, get outyour pen and paper or your
(21:50):
stylus and respond to the deeperreflection questions found
there.
I hope today's discussionbrought you inspiration and
insight.
If you found it valuable, couldyou spare just 30 seconds to
share my Faith Building Clubwith another study group that
might benefit from theseresources?
(22:10):
That's faithbuildingclub.
com, no spaces.
Your support means so much andhelps us spread the word.
Also, if you have a moment,please leave a review, share it
with a friend and follow now.
It truly warms my heart to knowour sessions are making a
difference.
I can't wait to join you againnext week.
(22:32):
Until then, keep your Biblesopen and your coffee mugs ready.
Adding a little fuel makes ourscripture journey even more
delightful.
Looking forward to seeing younext week for another episode of
Sound Wisdom.
See you then.
Are you truly walking in the freedom that grace and
truth offer, or are old beliefsstill holding you back?
Imagine breaking free from therestraint of old habits that no
longer benefit you.
What could you accomplish ifyou fully embrace spiritual
freedom?
If you wish for a life whereyour true potential is unleashed
(00:21):
through the transformativepower of God's grace, then this
episode the Freedom Formula, isfor you.
Are you feeling a bit swampedwith your weekly Bible study
prep, wondering how to make yourlessons both engaging and
impactful, searching for freshinsights to inspire and
spiritually nourish your group?
Well, you are in the rightplace.
(00:42):
Our sound wisdom Bible studylessons are here to make your
preparation easier, revive yourteaching and profoundly enrich
your group's faith journey.
Let's embark on this adventuretogether, but first let me tell
you about my faith building club.
You'll find over eight monthsof printable resources crafted
just for Christians.
These include everything fromprayer and devotional journals
(01:05):
to detailed Bible study lessonsand reading plans, all designed
to deepen your connection withthe Word and bring fresh
perspectives to your weeklystudies.
For more details and to join,check out the link in the show
notes.
Hi, I'm Paula, a follower ofJesus, a grandma of six and a
retired pastor with a heart forempowering believers, ready to
(01:26):
get started, grab your Bibles,your printable resources and
prepare your heart for insightsfrom God.
A young girl dropped off atchurch by her parents grew up
thinking church was only forchildren.
As an adult, she mirrored herparents' actions, attending
church only to drop off her ownkids.
She believed adults should beself-sufficient, working hard to
(01:49):
achieve happiness throughmaterial success.
Despite acquiring a nice house,a faithful husband and three
beautiful children, she felt aninexplicable emptiness, a
God-shaped hole in her heart.
She later realized this voidstemmed from a separation from
God, a human condition tracingback to the beginning of time.
(02:11):
Well, guess what?
That little girl was me.
You see, I had chosen the path,the wide path that taught this
life is all there is and you arein charge of making it good.
I truly believed that this lifewas my only chance for
happiness and in my misguidedunderstanding, I assumed that
(02:31):
after this earthly life, aperson just simply ceased to
exist.
And because of my childhoodexperience as a church drop-off
kid, I really didn't evenbelieve there was a God.
And, of course, if I didn'tbelieve there was a God, why in
the world would I believe therewas a heaven, or even a hell?
(02:51):
It just didn't make sense to me, and so, when you think about
all of that, well, it's reallynot surprising that I didn't
come into a saving relationshipwith Jesus Christ as a child, or
even as a young adult.
The most amazing thing, though,is this God waited patiently for
my heart to be ready for themiraculous change that he had in
store for his little girl.
(03:11):
I remember it well I wassitting at the desk in the game
room of our 4,200 square foothome, and I was feeling that
empty feeling in my heart, and Ibegan to pray, really pray.
For the first time in my life,I begin to pray as though there
just might be someone out thereto hear me.
I begin praying and saying God,if you are really out there,
(03:37):
and at that moment, God broughtback to my memory a verse of
scripture that I had learned asa child.
It was the verse in Matthew,where Jesus says come to me all
you who are weary and carryingheavy burdens, and I will give
you rest.
And I said, God, if it isreally true that I can have that
(03:58):
rest, if I can have that peacethat Jesus says I can have.
I want him in my heart, I wantto give my life to him, and at
that moment my heart was changed.
The way that I saw God, theworld around me, other people
and myself was completelydifferent.
And as I sat there thinking, Isaid to myself now, I didn't
(04:20):
bargain for that.
I didn't even know that myheart could be changed or needed
to be changed like that.
And then a light bulb went offin my mind.
As the logical thinking personthat I am, I realized that I
didn't change my heart, but thatmy heart was definitely changed
, and so I had to ask thequestion well, who did that?
(04:43):
If it wasn't me who changed myheart, who did that?
Then I realized that it wassomething outside of myself that
had changed my heart, and atthat moment I finally believed
that God was real.
I began to experience a joy andpeace and contentment like I
(05:04):
had never experienced before.
I was filled with anunquenchable desire to read the
Bible, and would do so two and ahalf times in the next four
months.
I also began to feel a tug onmy heart to serve as a pastor in
God's church.
Now I can't say that it waseasy.
In fact, it was quite theopposite.
It was a 12 and a half yearjourney from call to ordination,
(05:28):
but amazingly, God was therefor me the whole way,
strengthening me, encouraging meand carrying me when need be.
Join me now as we explore howaligning with our Creator, God,
can truly lead to fulfillmentand purpose in life.
(05:51):
The concept of freedom in Christis grounded in the
transformative power of God'sgrace.
It signifies liberation fromthe power of sin, legalism and
the constraints of the old self.
John 1:17 lets us know that thelaw was given by Moses, but
grace and truth came by JesusChrist.
As Christians, ourunderstanding of freedom is
closely tied to our relationshipwith Jesus and the work of the
(06:18):
Holy Spirit in our lives.
Let's begin with thefoundational scripture that
speaks to the essence of freedomin Christ.
Galatians 5, verse 1, says Forfreedom, Christ has set us free.
Stand firm, therefore, and donot submit again to a yoke of
slavery.
This verse serves as acornerstone for this lesson.
(06:41):
It emphasizes the idea thatChrist has set believers free
and encourages them not toreturn to the bondage of
legalism or (the Law) and sin.
What are we freed from?
Well, first of all, we havefreedom from sin.
Romans 6, verses 6 through 7,says we know that our old self
(07:05):
was crucified with him so thatthe body of sin might be
destroyed and we might no longerbe enslaved to sin.
For whoever has died is freedfrom sin.
One of the primary aspects offreedom in Christ is the
deliverance from the bondage ofsin.
The Apostle Paul, in his letterto the Romans, makes it
(07:31):
abundantly clear that believersare no longer slaves to sin.
Through Christ's sacrificialdeath and resurrection, we have
been set free from the power anddominion of sin.
This freedom empowers us tolive righteous lives, breaking
the destructive cycles of ourpast and embracing a new way of
living in accordance with God'swill.
Romans 6, verse 14, says Forsin will have no dominion over
(07:53):
you, since you are not under thelaw but under grace.
This verse underscores theshift that occurs when a person
becomes a believer Instead ofbeing under the dominion of sin,
they come under the liberatinginfluence of grace.
As a result, sin no longerholds sway over our lives and we
are set free to live inaccordance with God's righteous
(08:14):
standards.
In Romans 8, verse 2, we hear,for the law of the Spirit of
life in Christ, Jesus has setyou free from the law of sin and
of death.
In this verse we see thecontrast between the law of sin
and death and the law of thespirit of life in Christ.
Believers are no longer subjectto the condemning power of sin,
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but are made free through thework of the Holy Spirit,
allowing us to live victoriously.
In 1 John 3, verse 9, we hearthose who have been born of God
do not sin because God's seedabides in them.
They cannot sin because theyhave been born of God.
This verse speaks to the newnature of a believer.
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Being born of God means thatbelievers are fundamentally
transformed and sin no longerdominates our lives.
We are free from the pattern ofhabitual sin and empowered to
live righteously.
And then there's freedom fromthe law or legalism.
Galatians 5, verse 1, says Forfreedom, Christ has set us free.
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Stand firm, therefore, and donot submit again to a yoke of
slavery.
The freedom in Christ is notmerely a release from the
bondage of sin, but also fromthe burdens of legalism.
Paul's words in Galatianshighlight that believers are
called to live in the freedomthat Christ offers, rather than
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reverting to a mindset of strictadherence to the law.
This freedom allows believersto serve God out of love and
gratitude rather than fear ofpunishment or legalistic
regulations.
In Romans 7, verse 6, we hearbut now we are discharged from
the law, dead to that which heldus captive, so that we are
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slaves, not under the oldwritten code but in the new life
of the Spirit.
This passage lets us know thatbelievers have been delivered
from the law.
We are no longer bound by itsstrict requirements, but are
called to serve God in thenewness of the Spirit.
This new way of serving ischaracterized by the heart's
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inclination towards God's willand the empowerment of the Holy
Spirit.
Galatians 2, verse 16, says weknow that a person is justified
not by the works of the law butthrough faith in Jesus Christ.
And we have come to believe inJesus Christ so that we might be
justified by faith in Christand not by doing the works of
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the law, because no one will bejustified by the works of the
law.
Paul's teachings in Galatiansemphasize the point that
justification comes not throughadherence to the law but through
faith in Jesus Christ.
This is a pivotal aspect offreedom in Christ, as believers
no longer need to strive to earntheir salvation through their
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own efforts.
And then there's freedom to loveand serve.
Galatians, 5, verse 13 tells usFor you were called to freedom,
brothers and sisters, only donot use your freedom as an
opportunity for self-indulgence,but, through love, become
slaves to one another.
In other words, freedom inChrist is not a license for
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self-indulgence or the pursuitof our own desires.
Instead, it empowers believersto serve one another in love.
The liberty found in Christencourages selfless actions and
expressions of love toward allpeople.
1 Peter, 2, verse 16 admonishesus, As servants of God, live as
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free people, yet do not use yourfreedom as a pretext for evil.
Peter's exhortation reinforcesthe idea that freedom in Christ
should not be misused forselfish purposes or to engage in
sinful behavior.
Instead, it is a freedom toserve God and others with a
heart characterized by love andselflessness.
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And then there's freedom fromfear.
2 Timothy, chapter 1, verse 7,says For God did not give us a
spirit of cowardice, but rathera spirit of power and of love
and of self-discipline.
Freedom in Christ isaccompanied by a sense of
boldness and courage.
Believers are assured that feardoes not come from God.
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Instead, we are empowered bythe Spirit to face life's
challenges with confidence,knowing that God is with us.
Next, freedom to approach God.
Hebrews 4, verse 16 says Let ustherefore approach the throne
of grace with boldness, so thatwe may receive mercy and find
grace to help in time of need.
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One of the remarkable aspectsof freedom in Christ is the
unhindered access it provides toGod.
Believers are encouraged toapproach God's throne with
confidence, knowing that we willfind mercy and grace when we
are in need.
This direct access to God is aprivilege of our freedom in
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Christ.
Here are a few practicalimplications.
Understanding the concept offreedom in Christ is not merely
an intellectual exercise.
It carries huge implicationsfor our daily lives as believers
.
Let's explore how this freedomplays out practically.
Romans 8, verse 1, assures usthere is therefore no
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condemnation in those who are inChrist Jesus.
Freedom in Christ means thatthe guilt and condemnation that
often burden our hearts areremoved.
We are not judged based on ourpast sins, but are regarded as
righteous in God's sight.
This freedom from guilt andcondemnation has a
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transformative effect on ourrelationship with God.
It allows us to approach himwith confidence, knowing that
his love and forgiveness areavailable to us.
We no longer need to live inthe shadow of our past mistakes,
but instead we can focus ongrowing in our faith and
relationship with God.
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As mentioned earlier, freedom inChrist empowers us to love and
serve others.
Galatians 5:13 admonishesbelievers to, through love,
become slaves to one another.
This freedom liberates us fromself-centeredness and encourages
us to love our neighbors, carefor the needy and be instruments
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of God's grace in the world.
This love is not limited tomere sentiment, but is expressed
through actions that benefitothers.
It prompts us to seekopportunities to show kindness,
compassion and empathy.
In doing so, we become channelsthrough which God's love is
made manifest in the lives ofthose we encounter.
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Freedom in Christ is not just arelease from the power of sin,
but also an empowerment toovercome it.
Romans 6, verse 14 declares Forsin will have no dominion over
you, since you are not under thelaw but under grace.
This verse emphasizes thatbelievers are no longer under
the dominion of sin and sin doesnot have the final say in their
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lives.
The practical implication ofthis truth is that believers can
break free from the destructivecycles of sin that once bound
them.
We can actively resisttemptation, rely on the Holy
Spirit's guidance and adopt newgodly habits.
This process of sanctification,which occurs through the
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empowerment of the Holy Spirit,allows us to grow and to become
more like Christ.
The Apostle Paul beautifullyarticulates the idea that the
believer's life is now lived inChrist, saying it is no longer I
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who live, but it is Christ wholives in me and the life I now
live in the flesh I live byfaith in the Son of God, who
loved me and gave himself for me.
This passage highlights thetransformation that takes place
in the life of a believer.
We no longer live according toour flesh and our own desires,
but for God's will.
This freedom to pursue God'swill means that decisions,
choices and actions are guidedby a desire to align with God's
purposes.
The practical implications ofthis freedom include seeking
God's guidance in major lifedecisions, serving in the church
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and community and striving tolive in accordance with biblical
principles.
It involves a conscious effortto discern and follow God's will
in our daily life.
2 Peter, chapter 3, verse 18,says but grow in the grace and
knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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To him be glory both now andforever, amen.
Let's dive a little deeper intoknowing the mind of Christ
given to Christians.
If we have the mind of Christ.
It should be evident to thosearound us.
So let's talk about thecharacter traits that Christ
longs to pass on to those wholove and follow him.
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Love Jesus is often described asthe embodiment of love.
He not only preached love, butdemonstrated it through his
actions, including healing thesick, feeding the hungry and
even sacrificing his life on thecross for the redemption of
humanity.
His command to love one anotheris central to his teachings.
(17:51):
Compassion Christ showed deepcompassion for people,
especially those who weresuffering or marginalized.
He had empathy for the sick,the poor and the outcast, and he
frequently reached out to them,healing their physical and
spiritual wounds.
Humility Though Jesus was Godmanifested in the flesh, he
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exhibited humility by taking onhuman form, being born in a
humble manger and associatingwith outcasts.
He also demonstrated humilityin numerous other ways, such as
washing his disciples' feet, asymbolic act of service.
Servant leadership Jesus is theultimate example of servant
(18:36):
leadership.
He taught that to be great inGod's kingdom is to serve others
.
He emphasized that leadersshould be like servants, not
seeking power or prestige, butserving with humility.
Forgiveness Christ exemplifiedforgiveness throughout his life,
even forgiving those whocrucified him.
He taught the importance offorgiving others and emphasized
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that forgiveness is a key aspectof God's grace.
Truth and integrity.
Jesus is described as the truthJohn 14, verse 6, and he
consistently spoke the truth.
He was unwavering in hisintegrity and his teachings
emphasized honesty, transparencyand moral uprightness.
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Grace and mercy.
Christ's ministry was marked byhis offering of grace and mercy
to sinners.
He forgave those who came tohim seeking redemption and
offered the gift of eternal lifethrough faith in him.
Holiness as the sinless Son ofGod, Jesus exemplified holiness.
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He called his followers tostrive for holiness and purity
of heart, teaching that thosewho are pure in heart would see
God.
Teaching and Wisdom.
Christ's teaching wascharacterized by profound wisdom
.
He used parables and stories toconvey deep spiritual truths.
His teachings continue toprovide guidance and insight for
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Christian living.
Courage and faith.
Jesus displayed immense courageand faith throughout his life.
He faced opposition,persecution and, ultimately, the
crucifixion, but he remainedsteadfast in his mission and
trust in God, the Father.
Healer.
Christ is often referred to asthe great physician for his
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miraculous healing of physicaland spiritual ailments.
His ability to heal the sickand raise the dead demonstrated
his divine nature.
Friend of sinners, Jesus wascriticized by religious leaders
for associating with sinners andtax collectors.
He reached out to those whowere considered outcasts,
emphasizing his desire for allto come to repentance.
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Patience.
Christ exhibited patience,especially with his disciples,
who often struggled tounderstand his teachings.
He gently guided them andexplained what his parables
meant so they could grow intheir faith.
Gentleness and kindness, Jesusinteracted with people with
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gentleness and kindness,providing a safe space for them
to come to him with theirburdens and questions.
Obedience to God Above all.
Jesus' characteristic ofobedience to God, the Father, is
paramount.
He willingly submitted to God'splan for salvation, even when
faced with the prospect ofcrucifixion.
Okay, now it's your turn.
Download your resource, get outyour pen and paper or your
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stylus and respond to the deeperreflection questions found
there.
I hope today's discussionbrought you inspiration and
insight.
If you found it valuable, couldyou spare just 30 seconds to
share my Faith Building Clubwith another study group that
might benefit from theseresources?
(22:10):
That's faithbuildingclub.
com, no spaces.
Your support means so much andhelps us spread the word.
Also, if you have a moment,please leave a review, share it
with a friend and follow now.
It truly warms my heart to knowour sessions are making a
difference.
I can't wait to join you againnext week.
(22:32):
Until then, keep your Biblesopen and your coffee mugs ready.
Adding a little fuel makes ourscripture journey even more
delightful.
Looking forward to seeing younext week for another episode of
Sound Wisdom.
See you then.
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