Stand Firm… Together

The Sweetness of Freedom

Freedom in Christ isn’t a vague spiritual concept—it’s a real, transformative gift. Jesus didn’t come to improve our old life under the weight of rules and striving; He came to liberate us completely. When the Son sets you free, you’re really free (John 8:36). This isn’t just theological—it’s deeply personal. We’re not just freed from the condemnation of sin; we’re invited into an abundant, joy-filled life in God’s Kingdom.

But here’s the catch: we often forget just how bad our slavery to sin was. We downplay the bitterness of guilt, shame, and self-righteousness. And when we forget, we drift back into old patterns, old mindsets, and old chains. “Till sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet.” If we don’t remember what we’ve been rescued from, we’ll never fully rejoice in the beauty of what we’ve been rescued into.

The Trap of Performance

Paul didn’t mince words: trying to earn your way to God is a trap. The moment we think Jesus needs our help to save us, we’ve misunderstood grace entirely. Paul was fired up over a group teaching that salvation required adding works of the Law to faith in Jesus. Circumcision, ceremonies, self-effort—these weren’t just outdated rituals. They were symbols of a false gospel that said, “Jesus isn’t enough.”

When we take that bait, four things happen: we diminish Christ, we bind ourselves to every part of the Law, we walk away from the truth of grace, and we lose sight of our future hope. It’s a slippery slope, and it always ends in spiritual burnout. You either trust in Christ’s finished work, or you trust in your own. But you can’t do both.

The Danger of False Voices

Not every message is worth listening to. Paul warned that false teachers weren’t just misinformed—they were dangerous. They hindered obedience, corrupted communities, and misrepresented God. A little yeast works through the whole dough. A small twist on truth can take down a whole church, a whole family, a whole soul.

Real talk: the cross is offensive. It tells us we can’t save ourselves. It tells us we need grace. It shatters pride and levels the playing field. That’s why false teaching will always oppose it. The question is—do we love the gospel enough to defend it? Do we have the same passion to guard what is true and point others toward Jesus, not rules or religion?

The Power of Love

Christian freedom isn’t freedom to do whatever we want—it’s freedom from the things that used to control us. It’s freedom to love. To serve. To be transformed into people who look like Jesus. This is what the Spirit of God does in us. He sets us free from self and sin so we can live lives marked by love, joy, peace, and purpose.

Paul summed it up like this: the whole law is fulfilled in one word—love. So don’t waste your freedom by going back to legalism, and don’t abuse it by chasing your own desires. Use it to build others up, to make disciples, to walk faithfully—step by step, side by side—with your church family.

You’ve been set free. Now live like it. And stand firm… together.

— AARON DININNY

[Multiply] Executive Director