New Years Day

Introduction

Freedom: Patriotism, Emancipation, Juneteenth, etc.

Freedom is important to us in the US.

Our text today is about the freedom God gives us.

Galatians 5:1–6 NLT

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you. I’ll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses. For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace. But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us. For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.

Jesus sets you free from sin

-I want to do what I don’t do. etc.

Jesus sets you free from the law

-perfectionism

-”working”

What is true freedom? LOVE.

Galatians 5:13–15 NLT

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.

Resolutions: fine, but CAN BE enslaved to progress, perfection, status, etc.

Let our main resolution be freedom in Christ, freedom we use to love others.