Week 6: Live Free. Lead Free.
By: Amanda Brown
Do you ever wonder what you're supposed to do with the new life Jesus has given you? The moment you said ‘yes’ to Jesus, everything changed, so now what? I said yes to Jesus as a kid, and as my faith has grown into adulthood with me, God continues to show me He’s not just saved me from something, He’s calling me to something, and that’s been a purpose I never could have imagined.
In Galatians 6:14-18 (MSG), Paul writes, ‘For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Can’t you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do—submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life! All who walk by this standard are the true Israel of God—his chosen people. Peace and mercy on them! Quite frankly, I don’t want to be bothered anymore by these disputes. I have far more important things to do—the serious living of this faith. I bear in my body scars from my service to Jesus. May what our Master Jesus Christ gives freely be deeply and personally yours, my friends. Oh, yes!’
Paul says it: “I have far more important things to do—the serious living of this faith!” So then, what do we do now? We GO! We go forward in our lives with boldness as we confidently declare our reason for freedom!
Let’s be honest, our pre-Jesus lives weren’t working. Even today, my struggle with insecurity pops up, making me unsure of the very calling God has put on my life, and I fall back into people pleasing by keeping up with a pace that reflects my need to prove my worth, instead of living as a reflection of a worthy King. But Jesus has set us apart. We don’t have to keep up with a life we were never meant to live. We have the favor of Christ upon us, and our new creation is all that matters. Here at Flatirons, ‘we believe the most loving thing we can do for others is to go to them and invite others to come and see who Jesus is and what He has done for them’. Your freedom isn’t just for you; it’s meant to help set others free, too. Can you imagine what might happen if all who call Flatirons their church home declared freedom to the world? If we actually believed we are free, and lived like it? That kind of courage would change everything!
As followers of Christ, we are carriers of light, and the light of Jesus permeates into the world through us. And when we’re present, God really gets to work. That’s when doors are opened, hope sparks, changes stick, cycles break, and new life begins. Missionary Hudson Taylor once said, “all God's giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on God being with them.” When I begin to doubt my freedom, I’m reminded that I’m not on this freedom journey alone. The One who saved us promises to work in and through our faithful ‘yes’.
Jesus had a life mission statement: Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28).‘Your life’s mission is given to you by God as a life-purpose, your greatest gift, that talent or treasure which YOU particularly came to earth to use.’ Your job might change, and your season might shift. But your purpose? That stays the same. You were set free to help others find freedom, too. So, wherever God has you right now…start there. When I said one small ‘yes’ to Jesus all those years ago, I never would’ve imagined the journey He’s taken me on or where it would’ve led me to, but He's still using it, one step at a time.
Reflect
Where are you still “living in the old”—stuck in patterns or choices that keep you from freedom?
What’s stopping you from fully embracing the new? What tangible steps can you take this week?
Over these last six weeks, what’s one thing God has shown you about your freedom in Christ?
5:01 Freedom Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the freedom You won for me on the Cross—and for every chain You’ve broken in my life.
I’m done living in the past. Let Your Spirit guide me deeper into the life You’ve called me to. Strengthen me.
Give me courage to share my story with whoever You put in my path. Give me confidence to declare Your love in my life. Show me my purpose, and lead me to someone who needs Your freedom today, too.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
