Embracing Freedom and Love in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of the Gospel and Righteousness by Faith

The gospel is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes, revealing a righteousness that comes by faith. In a world full of distractions and shifting values, it is easy to lose sight of what truly matters. Yet, the message of Jesus remains the unchanging foundation for our lives. The gospel is not just good advice or a set of rules; it is the very power of God at work, rescuing us from sin and offering us new life. This righteousness is not something we can earn or achieve on our own, but is given to us by faith, from first to last. As you reflect on your journey, remember that your standing before God is not based on your performance, but on your trust in Jesus and His finished work. Let this truth ground you and give you confidence to live boldly for Him. [19:17]

Romans 1:16-17 (ESV)
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, 'The righteous shall live by faith.'"

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to stop striving to earn God’s approval and instead rest in the righteousness that comes by faith in Jesus?

Day 2: Freedom from Sin and the Gift of Eternal Life

We have been set free from sin and its penalty, receiving the gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Before knowing Christ, we were slaves to sin, earning only death and separation from God. But now, because of Jesus, we are no longer bound by our old ways or the consequences of our rebellion. Instead, we are invited into a new life, marked by holiness and hope. This freedom is not something we could ever achieve on our own; it is a gift, freely given by God’s grace. As you consider your past and present, rejoice in the truth that you are no longer earning death, but have received the promise of eternal life in Christ. [23:28]

Romans 6:22-23 (ESV)
"But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Reflection: What is one habit or pattern from your old life that you need to leave behind today, trusting that Christ has set you free from its power?

Day 3: Released from the Law, Alive in Christ

Through Christ, we have died to the law and now belong to Him, serving in the new way of the Spirit. The law once held authority over us, demanding perfect obedience and exposing our shortcomings. But in Jesus, we have died to that old way of living, and are now joined to Him who was raised from the dead. This new relationship means we are no longer controlled by fear or the pressure to perform, but are empowered by the Spirit to bear fruit for God. Our motivation is no longer obligation, but love and gratitude for all that Christ has done. Embrace the freedom of belonging to Jesus, and let His Spirit guide your steps each day. [33:36]

Romans 7:4-6 (ESV)
"Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code."

Reflection: How can you intentionally serve God today out of love and gratitude, rather than out of fear or obligation?

Day 4: The Law Reveals Sin and Points Us to Christ

God’s law is holy and good, revealing our need for grace and pointing us toward righteousness. The law acts like a mirror, showing us where we fall short of God’s perfect standard. It is not meant to condemn us, but to help us recognize our need for a Savior. When we see our shortcomings, we are reminded that we cannot save ourselves and are drawn to the grace offered in Jesus. The law’s purpose is to guide us, protect us, and ultimately lead us to life. Rather than ignoring or resenting God’s commands, let them direct your heart toward Christ and His transforming love. [45:56]

Romans 7:12-13 (ESV)
"So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure."

Reflection: When you become aware of a sin or shortcoming in your life, how can you let it draw you closer to Jesus instead of feeling defeated or discouraged?

Day 5: Faith Expressing Itself Through Love

True faith in Christ expresses itself through love for God and others, inspiring us to serve and endure with hope. Our obedience is not about earning God’s favor, but about responding to His love. Jesus summed up all the commandments in loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. When our actions are motivated by faith and love, we are freed from the pressure to perform and instead find joy in serving. Let your hope in Jesus inspire you to acts of kindness, service, and compassion, knowing that your labor is prompted by love and sustained by hope in Him. [38:24]

Galatians 5:6 (ESV)
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love."

Reflection: Who is one person you can show Christ’s love to today in a practical way, letting your faith be seen through your actions?

Sermon Summary

This morning, we gathered to celebrate the freedom and new life we have in Christ, as Paul describes in Romans. We began by remembering that our unity as believers is rooted in the essential truths of the gospel: Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, lived a sinless life, died for our sins, rose again, and offers us grace and eternal life. These are the “main things” that bind us together, and we must hold fast to them, even as we may differ on lesser matters.

As we moved into Romans 7, we explored the shift from justification—being made right with God by faith—to sanctification, the ongoing process of becoming more like Jesus. Paul uses the analogy of marriage to illustrate our relationship to the law: just as a spouse is bound by marriage only while the other lives, so too are we bound to the law only until we “die” to it through Christ. In Christ, we are released from the law’s authority, not so we can ignore God’s commands, but so we can serve Him in a new way—motivated by love and empowered by the Spirit.

We are freed from the law’s passions, penalty, and pressure. No longer do we strive to earn salvation by our own efforts or live in fear of failing some cosmic test. Instead, we obey God’s commands out of gratitude and love, knowing that Jesus summed up the law in two commands: love God and love your neighbor. Our faith expresses itself through love, and our endurance is inspired by hope in Christ.

Paul makes it clear that the law itself is not sinful or bad. Rather, it reveals our sinfulness, like a mirror showing us where we fall short of God’s standard. The law points us to our need for grace and drives us to Christ, who alone can save. God’s law is holy, righteous, and good—it reveals His character and guides us toward life. Ignoring the law leads to chaos and destruction, but in Christ, we are empowered to live out God’s will, not to earn His favor, but to reflect His love to a searching world.

May we embrace the freedom and responsibility that comes with belonging to Christ, living out these truths so that others may see Jesus in us and be drawn to His saving grace.

Key Takeaways

1. Unity in Essential Truths True unity among believers is not found in agreement on every minor doctrine, but in holding fast to the core truths of the gospel: the person and work of Jesus Christ. These foundational beliefs are non-negotiable and form the bedrock of our faith and fellowship. We must keep “the main thing the main thing,” refusing to dilute or modify these truths to fit cultural trends or personal preferences. [26:18]
2. Freedom from the Law’s Authority Through Christ, we have died to the law’s authority over us. This does not mean we disregard God’s commands, but that our relationship to them has changed—we are no longer striving to earn God’s favor through perfect obedience. Instead, we serve God in the new way of the Spirit, motivated by love and gratitude rather than fear and obligation. [33:36]
3. The Law Reveals, Not Redeems The law acts as a mirror, exposing our sinfulness and our inability to meet God’s perfect standard. Its purpose is not to save us, but to show us our need for a Savior. When we see ourselves honestly in light of God’s law, we are driven to the grace and mercy found only in Christ. [41:01]
4. Obedience Rooted in Love Our obedience to God is not a means of earning salvation, but a response to His love and grace. Jesus summarized the law in two commands: love God and love your neighbor. When our faith expresses itself through love, we fulfill the heart of God’s law and become living testimonies of His character to the world. [37:21]
5. Living as Light in a Searching World God has placed His Spirit within us so that we might reflect Christ to a world that is searching for truth, hope, and meaning. Our lives should point others to Jesus, not by perfection, but by authentic love, hope, and faithfulness. As we live out these truths, we become instruments of God’s grace, helping others find the salvation and peace that only Christ can give.

** [48:26]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:37] - Announcements: VBS and Worship in the Park
[05:46] - Celebrating New Life: Becoming Grandparents
[07:00] - Opening Prayer and Gratitude for the Church Family
[10:30] - Encouragement for Family Discipleship
[13:00] - Series Theme: Romans 1:16-17
[19:17] - Justification, Regeneration, and Sanctification
[23:28] - The Wages of Sin and the Gift of God
[26:18] - Unity in Essential Truths
[29:56] - Freedom from the Law: The Marriage Analogy
[31:55] - Understanding Paul’s Analogy: Law, Grace, and Marriage
[33:36] - Serving in the New Way of the Spirit
[36:19] - Jesus’ Commands and the Law of Love
[39:39] - Is the Law Sinful? The Law as a Mirror
[41:01] - The Law Reveals Our Need for Grace
[44:19] - Human Nature and the Temptation of the Law
[45:56] - The Law’s Purpose: Life and Righteousness
[48:26] - Our Mission: Reflecting Christ to the World
[50:15] - Invitation to Respond and Live Out the Truth
[50:56] - Prayer for Obedience and Witness
[52:36] - Closing Prayer and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Romans 7:1-12 — - Romans 1:16-17
- Matthew 22:37-40

Observation Questions

In Romans 7:1-4, what analogy does Paul use to explain our relationship to the law? How does this analogy help us understand what it means to be “released from the law”?
According to Romans 1:16-17, what is the power of the gospel, and who is it for?
In Matthew 22:37-40, how does Jesus summarize the law and the prophets?
The sermon said, “We are freed from the law’s passions, penalty, and pressure. No longer do we strive to earn salvation by our own efforts or live in fear of failing some cosmic test.” What does this mean in practical terms? [[34:45]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul say that the law is like a mirror, and what is the purpose of the law according to the sermon? [[41:01]]
The sermon emphasized that “unity among believers is not found in agreement on every minor doctrine, but in holding fast to the core truths of the gospel.” Why is it important to keep “the main thing the main thing”? [[26:18]]
How does being “released from the law’s authority” change the way a Christian obeys God? What is the difference between obeying out of fear and obeying out of love? [[33:36]]
The sermon said, “Our faith expresses itself through love, and our endurance is inspired by hope in Christ.” How does hope in Christ inspire endurance and love in daily life? [[38:24]]

Application Questions

The sermon talked about holding fast to the essential truths of the gospel and not getting distracted by lesser issues. Are there any “lesser matters” that have distracted you from the main thing in your faith or in church life? How can you refocus on the core truths this week? [[26:18]]
Paul says we are released from the law’s authority, but not so we can ignore God’s commands. In what ways have you felt pressure to “earn” God’s favor? How can you shift your motivation from fear or obligation to love and gratitude? [[34:45]]
The law reveals our sinfulness and points us to our need for grace. Is there an area in your life where you have been trying to “measure up” on your own? What would it look like to bring that area to Jesus and rely on His grace instead? [[41:01]]
Jesus summed up the law in two commands: love God and love your neighbor. Think of a specific way you can show love to a neighbor or someone in your community this week. What step will you take? [[36:19]]
The sermon said, “Our lives should point others to Jesus, not by perfection, but by authentic love, hope, and faithfulness.” Where do you struggle with feeling like you have to be perfect? How can you let God’s love shine through your imperfections? [[48:26]]
The pastor challenged the church to “embrace the freedom and responsibility that comes with belonging to Christ.” What is one area where you need to step out in faith and live out your freedom in Christ this month? [[50:15]]
The law is described as holy, righteous, and good, guiding us toward life. Is there a command or teaching of Jesus that you find difficult to follow? What support or encouragement do you need from your group to help you live it out? [[45:56]]

Sermon Clips

We were once hard at work earning our own death. Did you ever think about that? Earning the penalty for the rebellion against our God. If we are not in Christ, death is what we all deserve. Death, eternal separation from all that is good. You hear people that don't believe all the time say things like, well, a good God would never send people to hell. They're right. He doesn't. We earn it. He simply gives us the wages we are due versus life, eternal life, existing forever in the presence of our holy God. [00:24:31] (46 seconds) Edit Clip

That old expression, it's really true. You got to keep the main thing, the main thing, the main thing. And in our case, the main thing, well, His name's Jesus. If you didn't know, let me introduce you to Him. Jesus, the Son of God, born of a virgin, fully God, fully man, lived a perfect life, sinless life, willingly offered that life to pay the price for your sins and for my sins and for the sin of every human being who has ever and will ever exist in this world. [00:27:14] (33 seconds) Edit Clip

We aren't at liberty to water things down. We don't get to modify the life or the teachings of Jesus to fit our cultural narratives or our feelings today. We cannot look past teachings that make us uncomfortable. We can't ignore the teachings that are hard. We are called to be faithful just as our God is faithful to us. [00:28:44] (28 seconds) Edit Clip

We don't have to live in fear of passing whatever that test is, and nobody can fully tell you exactly what that will look like. We don't have to live in fear of passing that test on judgment day because we aren't saved by our grades. We're saved by grace, not by how good we are. [00:35:36] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

We died to the law when we gave ourselves to Jesus. So as a result, we are now free from some of the effects of the law. First of all, we're free from its passions. We are no longer under the power of the flesh, the power of our own sinful, physical desires. We are in Christ. We are free from the law's penalty. That's a big one. When we break the commands without the forgiveness and grace of Jesus, we must pay the penalty for our disobedience. The wages of sin is death. God has set us free from that penalty. [00:34:10] (43 seconds) Edit Clip

God is in this world, church. God wants to change this world. So much so that He sent His Son to die for this world. And He is here now. And here's what He's done. He's given His people, His Spirit within them to go into this dark world and help others realize these same truths, to help lead them to Jesus, to the salvation that is found only in His grace, to the forgiveness found only in His sacrifice, to the peace and hope found only in His resurrection. [00:48:21] (43 seconds) Edit Clip

We now serve Him in the Spirit. We obey His commands out of love for Him, out of thanksgiving for all that He has done for us. Jesus said in John 14, 15, If you love me, keep my commands. What are His commands? Well, you could call those the law, couldn't you, if you wished? Jesus did us a favor, though. He went ahead and summed them all up for thus like simple things into just the two you might remember in Matthew 22, 37. Love the Lord your God with all your soul, with all your heart, with all your mind. And the second, love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments. [00:36:16] (47 seconds) Edit Clip

Help us to live out these truths, to not know them, but to know them and to live them. It's so important in this world. People are searching. They're searching for what's right. They're searching for the right path. They're searching for you. And Father, even though we're not worthy in any way, you're willing to use us and allow people to see your son Jesus through our imperfect lives as we do our best to love those around us. [00:52:36] (34 seconds) Edit Clip

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