Think about how terrible it is playing with the enormous pressure of trying to be perfect. You don’t want to mess up or let your coach down, and if you’ve got someone on the bench vying for your spot, you’re terrified to make a mistake or play poorly and quickly be replaced.
It’s exhausting to keep striving in effort and rely on your performance. Every game, we tighten up a bit more, and soon enough, the game isn’t even fun anymore because we’re too preoccupied with a perfection we can never attain.
These same feelings carry over into our lives, analyzing every report card, every conversation and wondering if we’re measuring up to the standards we put on ourselves, or others have pressed on us.
We aren’t made to live like this.
Jesus knew this, which is why He came to earth to walk through the same things we encounter, taking our place on the cross to satisfy the judgement of God and save us from our sins. When He rose from the tomb, He took away our need to get it right and gave us freedom forever!
We can take a deep breath and rest in the unchanging knowledge that God loves us and has freed us from any sin, stumble and our seeking approval. We are delivered through the death and resurrection of Jesus, and this gives us complete freedom knowing that not only is our eternity sealed, but we can live in hope and comfort that nothing we do can make God love us any less.
“So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” (John 8:36)
Hear this truth: you are free.
Free once and for all time.
Free from shame.
Free from guilt.
Free from chasing approval.
Free to live in God’s great plan for your life.
There is nothing you need to do—accept what Jesus has done and shake the weight that you’ve been carrying off your shoulders. We have great joy learning how we’re free and why Jesus wants us to live in this goodness.
Free in Christ
Before you were even aware of your need for a Savior, your Savior came to you. Wrapped in flesh, God made-into-man took the punishment we deserved and was crucified. Because He fulfilled the payment to what God demanded, when we believe and receive Him as our personal Savior, we’re securely tucked in the arms of God forever. Jesus has bridged the gap and there is nothing that can separate us from our God. He is the all-sufficient One and we know with certainty, joy and freedom that our ransom has been paid by His blood and we are forever safe and found.
“So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” (Galatians 5:1)
Free from Guilt
Here’s more good news: whatever’s been in your past stays in the past. Any failures, mistakes, things you want a do-over on—it’s all wiped away in Christ. The enemy tries to condemn and keep us buried in our guilt and shame, but Jesus says He is sufficient and there is no condemnation that can claim you—you are already His. There’s no need to dwell on what was; in Christ, you get to lean into what is. He makes all things new, and this includes your life. If someone tries to tie you down to any past actions or mistakes, stand on God’s truth that you are no longer held to the past but the present and future are pressed wide open for what God has for you as His child.
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)
Free to Move Forward
Once you understand the lightness of freedom in Christ, it’s time to embrace this new life together. Not only did God send His Son to secure your eternity, but to bring you abundant life in the now. We don’t know what tomorrow brings, but our perspective shifts to all that we think, say and act on represent the light of Christ to a world in need of His hope. God has a specific role for you to play and wants you to move forward in boldness, truth and faith to embrace the journey He has for you that is wrapped up in His bigger plans for humanity. Ask Him what He has for you, and take time to be still and listen for His voice.
When He speaks, be obedient to step out in faith into what He’s calling you to.
“… but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:13b-14)
It’s incredible how empowered we can feel living in Christ’s freedom.
God’s plans are always bigger than ours, which He has thought out from the beginning of time. When we know our worth as a child of God and accept Jesus’ sacrifice, there’s joy, excitement and a sense of wonder that occupy our hours. The next time you are tempted to feel insecure because of a comment, a missed play or disappointing grade, remember your worth and that you are already living from a place of victory.
Don’t get tangled in the web of this world; in Christ, you are free. Live out of this today.
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