Paul’s guiding context: build up the church

2024 is the year I reach the age of 50, and just saying it out loud brings a sense of apprehension. As the new year began, I made a deliberate decision to turn 2024 into a year of accomplishment, embracing new experiences, prioritizing health, and deepening my faith. While these aspirations are commendable in themselves, I soon realized the importance of choosing a specific focus to achieve these goals. I settled on the word “FREEDOM” as my guiding theme for the year, asking God to uncover any areas in my life, even ones I may be oblivious to, that hinder true freedom in Christ.

Two months into this journey, I’ve come to appreciate that the pursuit of freedom is not a one-year endeavor. Rather, it’s an ongoing process that extends beyond arbitrary timelines. Despite the extended duration, I find peace in the valuable self-discoveries and the profound insights into God’s purpose for me during this time.

Often, we fall into the trap of believing that overcoming a specific sin or achieving a personal goal will grant us freedom. We set milestones like eating better, exercising, budgeting, or excelling at work, anticipating that freedom will follow. However, this mindset puts us in a perpetual cycle of always striving for freedom without truly experiencing freedom. What I’m realizing is that the freedom offered through Christ is not contingent on achieving these milestones. It is accessible in the midst of my struggles, thanks to Christ’s sacrifice.

In Galatians 5:1, Paul reminds us, “Christ has set us free for freedom. Therefore, stand firm and don’t submit to the bondage of slavery again.” The problem with thinking I can achieve freedom by overcoming a sin or accomplishing something big puts me at the center instead of Christ. Relying on personal achievements for freedom distorts my focus. True freedom is found in Christ, and redirecting my focus toward Him allows me to experience freedom in the midst of all that I’m working to overcome or achieve.

This shift in perspective doesn’t negate the importance of self-improvement or goal-setting. Instead, it underscores the notion that these endeavors should glorify Christ, not merely serve as a means to experience freedom. By acknowledging Christ’s grace, love, and sacrifice, I realize that I am already free.

Yet, breaking free from bondage can be scary. The comfort of familiarity often makes pursuing freedom in Christ feel risky. Living freely in Him demands sacrifice and a redirection of our hearts, a process not as easy as it sounds.

We are studying the hard and perplexing passages of Paul. One I struggled with when I was younger is Philippians 1:21: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die gain.” I now grasp the essence of Paul’s passion. Living is about embracing the freedom Christ has given us and using our lives to glorify Him daily. Death, in Paul’s view, signifies gaining eternal life with the One who secured our freedom on the cross.

My journey to identify and break free from areas of captivity is still new and ongoing. It’s not always smooth or enjoyable, but I am convinced of its worthiness. My prayer is not only for God to reveal these areas but also to instill within me a passion for Christ and His Church, mirroring Paul’s sentiment, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die gain.”