INSIDE: What does the Bible say about freedom? Learn what it means to be free, the four steps to break free from sin, and how to break free from lies that don’t serve you well in Episode 156.
Through this last chapter of Jonah, we’ll see that only grace holds the power to set you free. God’s heart for us is not to be trapped by anger or sin or worry but to be free.
God created us to be free from sin and wounds and lies, so we could be free to be loved by Him, to be healed by Him, to obey Him, to worship Him, to delight in Him and feel His delight for us, to serve others, to know His friendship, and to experience community with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
When we are held captive by sin, wounds, false narratives, inaccurate understanding of God’s character, and lies, we do not live in freedom.
In today’s episode, you’ll learn how grace leads to freedom as we unpack:
- What it means to be free,
- The tools God gives you to break us free,
- Four steps to break free from sin,
- And how to break free from lies that don’t serve you well.
What does the Bible say about freedom?
God is grace, and God is all about you being free. We know this because it’s documented throughout the Bible:
Paul writes to the Galatians in Galatians 5:1, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
The author of Hebrews says this in Hebrews 12:1, “As for us, we have all of these great witnesses who encircle us like clouds. So we must let go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into. Then we will be able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us.”
And we see God’s desire for freedom here in the Old Testament with Jonah 4:4, “And the Lord said, ‘Do you do well to be angry?’”
Jesus tells us in John 8:32, “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
What does it mean to live in freedom?
Genuine, true freedom is being free from sin, so you are free to experience God’s love, to be the person God created you to be, and live whole + healed in community.
You were created to be an image-bearer who reflects a holy, loving, gracious, compassionate, merciful God. As an image-bearer, you have gifts and talents and a temperament and life experience suited for such a time as this.
Friend, you are free because Christ already set you free and He gave you a Spirit to keep you free.
In his book, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero, he outlines what it’s like to live free. He says:
- You live in freedom when you stop pretending to yourself, to others, and to God about what’s rumbling in your heart.
- You live in freedom when the life you live is the life God gave you, and you quit trying to be someone else.
- You live in freedom when you acknowledge your brokenness and vulnerabilities rather than trying to cover them over.
- You live in freedom when you break free from the need to attach yourself to accomplishments, things, or people’s approval to feel okay about yourself.
- You live in freedom when you are set free from the illusion that there is something richer, more beautiful than the gift of loving and being loved.
Quotes about living in freedom
- “But in defiant disobedience and angry obedience, God still loved Jonah and still partnered with him to save people. Jonah’s flaws didn’t disqualify him from service.” – Jill E. McCormick
- “God works His purposes and provides for us as we fully are.” – Jill E. McCormick
- “Your sin cannot surpass God’s grace. He will always out-grace you.”- Jill E. McCormick
- “Only grace holds the power to set you free.” – Jill E. McCormick
If you’d like to learn more about how to live in freedom, check these out:
- Grace says you are free
- #39: Freedom for the woman keeping a full schedule and chasing shiny things with Amanda Bacon
- #101: Spiritual Health: Hearing from God for freedom with Jennifer Barnett
- 4 gifts Jesus offers you
- God’s grace-based way to quit doing more, living legalistically, and telling yourself to get it together
As Mentioned in the Podcast
The FCC requires that I tell you that I’m an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don’t worry; there’s no added cost to you!
- #153: What does God’s grace mean?
- #154: How to receive God’s grace
- #155: Showing grace
- Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero
Here’s how to connect with Jill
- Website
- GraceInRealLifePodcast.com
- Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email