The goal of this blog post is to further unpack the rich biblical meaning of freedom in Christ.  But before that, I want to consider what we are freed from.  In other words, what is your greatest problem in life?  Maybe you’re considering work struggles, a lukewarm marriage, unruly children, sickness, financial struggles, or a depressed mood.  These are important (really important).  But… these aren’t your biggest problem.  If you managed to fix any one of the above problems, it would soon be replaced by another.  Our greatest problem is a curse.   A curse that leaves us inclined to hate God and neighbor; and leaves us turned inwards on ourselves. 

A New Year’s resolution might improve your work efficiency, health, or marriage (at least for a few weeks-to-months).  But, it’s not going to undo a curse or abolish death.  Thankfully, Jesus did reverse this curse. Not by paying with gold or silver, but with his own blood.  Because of this, you now have freedom from the burden of earning your way into God’s good favor.  The judgement sword of God’s law no longer looms over your head.  You (and your kids) don’t have to be perfect.  This also means you are free from the burden of all your self-imposed expectations.  Don't you get weary of expectations?  You are free from having to look perfect, free from performing perfectly, free from perfect finances, free from needing that job or promotion, free from needing perfect grades, free from a perfect yard, free from your cellphone, free from being “woke,” free from needing that bigger house or nicer car, free from eating a perfect diet (btw intermittent fasting is the way to go), free from cable news narratives, and free from keeping that New Year’s resolution all year long.  You are free from striving to achieve that “good life” because you already have an eternal life.

Christ didn’t just reverse the curse.  He didn’t accomplish salvation, slap the apostles on the back (giving them a thumbs-up emoji), and then ascend into heaven leaving them on their own.  No, He sent the third person of the God-head to indwell them (and you).  The same Spirit who hovered over the creation waters and who raised Christ from the dead is the very same Spirit living in you at this very moment.  That same Spirit brings you into union with Christ’s glorified humanity.  It is by this Spirit and union with Christ that you are free from the power of sin.  You are in such close connection with Jesus that your old sinful self died and was buried with Jesus in his death.  Your new self is raised from the grave with Him, already seated in the heavenly places (here and now).  Your life is hidden in Christ.  Your ultimate identity and inheritance is already secured in heaven.  Because of this… you cannot (you will not) continue on without bearing fruit.  Like the dawning sun, the powers of the age-to-come are breaking into the darkness of this present evil age.  Recognize the immense power in battling sin that you already have, here-and-now.  You are objectively a new creation, regardless of what you feel at any given time. 

And yet we all will continue struggling with sin in 2020, living as if still wholly under that weighty curse.  This New Year breathe a sigh-of-relief in knowing that you are eternally free from the guilt and power of sin.  As you plan that new resolution, take comfort in knowing that you are not your own.  Instead, you belong, in body and soul, in life and in death, to your faithful savior Jesus Christ.  And that is truly liberating.  All glory be to Him!  Happy New Year!

~Luke Yeager