What Does Freedom In Christ Really Mean? | Paul's Gospel Message

Paul's transformation reflects the life changing spirt of God.

Imagine it's 3:00 in the morning. You’re comfortably nestled in your dreams, the world outside silent and still. Suddenly, the tranquility is shattered by the piercing screech of your smoke detector. It's as if someone jolted you with defibrillator paddles during a heart attack. Your heart races, panic sets in, and your sole focus is to stop the cacophony. Concern for fire or smoke takes a backseat; the immediate need is silence.

This happened to us recently in our parsonage. Jolted awake, I leapt from bed, instinctively swatted at the alarm, removed the batteries, and scanned for any signs of smoke. Has this ever happened to you? Alternatively, perhaps the alarm blares from a distant room, rousing you but not sufficiently to spur action. You might lie there, rationalizing, "I don't smell smoke or feel heat. I'll just wait it out and see."

The Message That Shakes You Awake

Now, envision someone shaking you awake, urgently stating, "The house is on fire." This message demands immediate and decisive action. This scenario parallels how people perceive the gospel message. For some, it's a distant alarm—something to explore later. For others, it's a life-altering wake-up call, akin to being told, "Get up. This is a life-or-death situation." From that moment, everything changes.

The gospel doesn't merely assert truth; it rouses us, transforming what we value and fear. It calls us to wholeheartedly follow Jesus. It's not merely good advice or comfort; it declares the world is ablaze under sin, and Jesus is the sole way to salvation. It offers comfort through forgiveness but also challenges us with a choice: remain in comfort or follow Christ with everything we have.

The Apostle Paul: A Life of Risk for the Gospel

The Apostle Paul risked his life for the gospel. Why do such a thing? Because the message is more powerful than death. The gospel isn’t just a set of beliefs or advice; it’s the proclamation that Jesus, who was crucified, is now alive and sovereign over all. Through him, sinners can find forgiveness and be raised to eternal life. This message demands everything, which is why Paul endured suffering and continued preaching despite threats of violence.

If you possess a way to defeat death and sin, that message extinguishes many fires in your life—worries, fears, sins. With the fear of death conquered, everything changes. After years of preparation following his Damascus road conversion, Paul embarked on his first missionary journey to spread this transformative gospel. He was ordained through prayer and fasting and sent out with Barnabas and John Mark. Their journey began in Cyprus, where even a powerful Roman governor embraced the faith.

Paul's Dangerous Journey to Galatia

As they traveled inland, John Mark departed, unable to continue. Not everyone is suited for missionary work. However, Paul and Barnabas pressed on into Galatia, reaching cities like Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. Paul preached the gospel as a matter of life or death, first to the Jews, then to the Gentiles as commanded by the Lord, becoming a beacon for them.

The Gentiles, mostly pagan, worshipped stone idols and were ignorant of the God of Abraham. Yet, upon hearing of the crucified and risen Messiah offering forgiveness and eternal life, hundreds believed. The message awakened them, compelling them towards the fire. The Spirit moved powerfully among them, silencing demonic forces.

Persecution and Persistence

Trouble found Paul as Jews from Antioch and Lystra incited crowds against him. Those once fervent for the gospel now sought to stone him. The mob surrounded him, stones flew, blood spilled, bones broke. They dragged Paul’s seemingly lifeless body outside the city, assuming he was dead. But Paul rose and re-entered the city. Why? Because the gospel isn’t about comfort or compromise; it’s the power of God for salvation, a matter of life or death.

Paul’s willingness to risk his life underscores that the gospel isn’t spread through comfort. It’s built on the sacrifices of courageous individuals. Remember, people suffered and died for this cause. The next day, Paul and Barnabas continued their journey, leaving behind strong churches in Galatia. Witnessing someone willing to die for a message has a profound effect, and thus, the church in Galatia was born. These new churches, composed of Gentiles, became new brothers and sisters in the kingdom, born of spirit rather than ancestry.

The Great Gentile Gathering

This marked the inception of the great Gentile gathering foretold by the prophets. God declared to Abraham that all families of the earth would be blessed through him. Isaiah echoed this, prophesying that salvation would extend to the ends of the earth. When the Spirit moved among the Gentiles in Galatia, it fulfilled Joel’s promise of pouring out the Spirit on all flesh.

Paul, scarred and limping, recognized he was walking in God’s covenantal promise. Upon returning to Antioch after his first missionary journey, troubling news from the Galatian churches reached him. Some argued that Gentile believers must adhere to the law of Moses for salvation. Paul was astounded; the gospel he had suffered for was being distorted. The Judaizers weren’t denying Jesus but insisted on Torah observance for full inclusion in God’s covenant.

Paul's Battle Cry in Galatians

In response, Paul penned his first letter, Galatians, as a battle cry defending the gospel of grace. He bypassed the customary lengthy greeting and addressed the issue directly. He expressed astonishment that they were turning to a different gospel, which was no gospel at all. Even if an angel preached a different gospel, they’d be under God’s curse.

Paul understood that adding to Jesus was losing everything. His core message was crystal clear: justification comes by faith, not by law. The law served as a guardian until Christ revealed our need for him. Now, with faith present, we are no longer under that guardian. For Gentiles, this meant they were full members of God’s family, not by blood or law, but by spirit.

Freedom in Christ

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free,” Paul writes. Freedom isn’t a license to sin but a life led by the spirit. Walking by the spirit means overcoming the desires of the flesh. The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace—not circumcision or Sabbath observance. People often misunderstand following Jesus, perceiving it as adherence to rules or doing as they please. However, the gospel is about obedience stemming from God’s love for us.

Like a child learning to walk, we stumble, but God doesn’t chastise or abandon us. He lifts us, steadies us, and encourages us onward. God isn’t surprised by our falls; he’s seen the path ahead. When we falter, we should run to God, not away. His spirit works within us, and our weaknesses don’t negate his promise. We are his children, beloved and forgiven.

Misinterpretations and the True Gospel

Paul finally addresses the misinterpretations of his writings, particularly Galatians 3:28, which some have twisted to erase distinctions. Paul isn’t proclaiming an end to all differences. He’s asserting that they don’t determine access to salvation. Jews and Gentiles remain ethnically distinct; men and women remain biologically distinct. However, all are equal in the resurrection and the kingdom to come.

Paul’s gospel message is unequivocal: Jesus, the crucified and risen Son of God, is the Messiah who will return to judge the world, raise the dead, and establish God’s kingdom on earth. In this light, all people must repent, believe, and live in hope of the resurrection. Adding anything to Jesus severs us from grace, rendering the cross valueless. The gospel isn’t merely an alarm in the background; it’s like a loved one vigorously shaking you awake, declaring, "The house is on fire." Glory be to the Lord our God, Jesus Christ. Amen.