Jesus Set You Free, But Not to Run Wild

Hey, Carpool Crew, it's the first day of July, and summer is wide open. I'm Pastor Justin. Let me ask you, do you like rules? This week, we're talking about what it means that Jesus set us free. A wide open day with no rules sounds amazing, doesn't it? We've all felt that. Let's jump in with the one thing I want you to remember for the ride. Jesus didn't break your chains so you could run wild. He broke them so you could turn around and do the right thing. Listen to this from Galatians chapter five, verse one. Paul writes, "For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm then, and don't stumble again to a yoke of slavery." So a yoke is a heavy wooden bar that farmers strap to an ox to pull a plow all day in the field. It's being stuck in work that never stops. Paul wrote to people getting all tangled up. Somebody told them that to make God happy, they had to follow a giant list of rules. Eat only these foods, check every box, or you are out. It was a chore chart a mile long, like God's love only if you finish it. Paul says, "No, Jesus already did the work." He lifted that heavy yoke bar right off your neck. You don't earn your way to God by being perfect because Jesus already paid the whole thing. You're free. If Jesus were riding in the back seat right now, I think He'd say, "I broke those chains because I love you. I set you free so you could finally live the way I always dreamed for you. Stay close to me, and I'll show you how good it can be." So imagine it's a hot afternoon, and you're at the pool. Someone dares you to sneak into the deep end before the lifeguard says okay, and nobody's watching. That's the run wild kind of freedom. But the kid who is really free is the one who can say, "No, I'm good," without needing the crowd to think he's cool. He still has an awesome day. Hey, this week, here are a couple things you could try. First, pick one right thing nobody is making you do, and do it just because you know it's the right thing to do. Second, when you feel that tug to do something you know is wrong, stop and pray three quick words: Jesus, help me. That's standing firm. And third, here's a hard one. Tonight, ask yourself or ask your parents, "Am I trying to earn God's love, or do I already have it?" And guess what? You already have it, all of it, and hearing that from your parents could be really great. Hey, let's go back to that one thing I wanted you to remember for the ride. Jesus didn't break your chains so you could run wild. He broke them so you could turn around and do the right thing. Remember, no matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. And hey, parents, guess what? We just launched a brand new app. It is a game called Road Trip. There's a link in our show notes, or you can just go to carpoolingwithjesus.com/roadtrip. I'd love for you to check it out. No ads, no in-app purchases, no tracking, just a fun game that you'll like, and you'll be able to play it as a family. Go check it out. I think you're gonna like it. Before you go, let's answer this question together. What's one thing you could do this week, not because someone's making you, but just because you get to? I'll see you later, Carpool Crew. Have a good one.