Podcast Episode 207 - Easter Week pt 2 - Jesus + Nothing = My Freedom
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Do you ever feel like you’re not enough?
Have you thought, “if only I could get this Christianity thing right? I always seem to fall short.”
It’s Easter week; are you excited about it or prepped to feel like a miserable sinner?
It’s Easter week, and we’re continuing our journey through what the cross means to us.
Today is for you if...
If you desire to grow closer to God.
If you’re tired of doing life in your own strength.
If you’re ready to enjoy freedom in Christ like He meant for you to live.
If you’re listening to this podcast, I’ve got the Waffle House voice going on today. My kids were worried about me. “It’s okay, just allergies,” I told them. This isn’t my real voice. It’s just temporarily altered my voice. It’ll go back to my original soon, but it made me think we can look at what we do and feel; that’s who I am, my identity.
We can think, I’m not good enough, don’t read my Bible enough, don’t pray enough, or I always make the same mistakes and then feel guilty.
But Father says something different about our identity.
It’s Easter week, and how many times will you hear, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Or worse, some will listen to, “You’re just a sinner in the hands of an angry God.”
Many believe we’re broken sinners, and that’s what we’ll always be. Yes, they believe in Jesus and that He died on the cross, but they’ve somehow got to live up to a certain standard to be righteous all the time. There’s more to be done and keep doing to keep the sinful nature at bay.
It’s not about what we do but what Jesus did.
“Jesus + nothing = My Freedom.”
This is the gospel! My righteousness is based on Jesus and Jesus alone!! This is the “good news”!!
Romans 10:4 NRSVA
Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
Galatians 3:1-3 NASB
You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
Paul clarifies the believer’s relationship to the law:
Galatians 3:24–25 NIV
The law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
Galatians 3:26–27 Mirror Study Bible
26 What Jesus Christ believes to be true about you is the final confirmation of mankind’s redeemed sonship. His faith is the only valid reference to your belief!
27 Whoever is immersed in Christ is fully clothed with him! He is your brand new wardrobe confirming your sonship!
Question 1: How were you saved?
By observing the spiritual to-do list?
By believing what Jesus did for you?
Paul is urging Christians to continue like we began our relationship with Father by faith. We started by believing and by opening ourselves up to the Spirit’s work in us. Salvation had nothing to do with the law. Likewise, we achieve growth in Christ through our human effort either.
Colossians 2:6 NASB
Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
You received Jesus by faith, so walk in Him by this same faith.
Growth comes from abiding in the Vine (John 15), not by human effort. The Spirit produces fruit in us.