Freedom in Christ

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What does true freedom in Christ look like? Many believe religion is a set of rules, a thou shalt and thou shalt not, but it is so much more. True freedom comes from a deep and abiding love of Jesus Christ. This show examines your personal journey.

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So, freedom is our topic and it seems appropriate with July 4^th being celebrated here in the US that our freedom is so pivotal to our lives. What does freedom mean to you? Is it doing anything you want to do whenever you want to do it? What does that look like to you? Each of us has a different idea of what freedom means.

Freedom can mean leaving sin behind. You may not realize that sin is slavery. Whatever that sin may be and there are many, the addiction to sin without the ability to break it is truly a struggle. It can be something simple like an addiction to chocolate, gluttony, or even shopping or more severe like pornography or drugs.

The end result of sin is death, the death of our souls. Just like an addiction to drugs or even smoking can hurt our physical bodies, so too a sin can hurt our mortal souls.

When we sin the first thing that we do is rationalize it. In our minds and then in our hearts. Well, it isn’t that bad, or it is okay if that is what I want it is not hurting anyone. Or, we are consenting adults and can do whatever we would like. The amazing thing about sin is that God does not force His way on us. We choose to be in that sin.

So when I hear people say that religion is too restricting, I can easily answer that no, sin is too restricting because often you can’t leave it behind. But freedom, true freedom is knowing that God forgives and gives us the free will to sin no more, or to continue in our destructive behavior.

Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Slavery to sin is all around us, and we see it clearly now. Before it was shrouded in a dark, smoke-filled room. There were inklings of sin, there were little hints here and there, but now? Now it is a free-for-all, and sin reigns in the hearts of many. The idea of self-preservation has taken hold like never before. Fear is our greatest enemy and it can be used by the enemy to control. Think about this.

What does sin give us? It gives us many byproducts. It gives us guilt, the guilt of indulgence. It gives us sickness and disease, it gives us moral corruption.

What does freedom in Christ give us? It gives us the truth; it gives us joy – the joy that surpasses all understanding. It gives us the ability to wake up each morning without guilt, and it gives a clear vision of where we are going. I heard one of my favorite speakers share that we should weep and ask for forgiveness each night for our sins. And when we do, the Lord will forgive us. With this knowledge of forgiveness, we can begin each day with joy – because we have repented before the Lord. If it is a serious sin, one that can hurt our mortal souls, we should seek counsel from clergy in confession for a Catholic or a pastor for a protestant.

Just the other day I was delighted when a young man approached my friend and I after daily mass and asked what time confession happened at the church – he shared he had been away from the church for some time and wanted to come back. He wanted to talk to a pastor and work through his forgiveness. This is what freedom looks like. He was fearless and it looked like the Lord was already working in his life.

When we ask for forgiveness we are acknowledging the need for repentance. This thought is our conscience speaking and it can only speak if it is well-formed.

Read 1 Corinthians 10 – here, Paul is saying that while food and drink were no longer banned as in the time of the Old Testament, that did not mean that everything is beneficial. We know that overeating can make us sick, or eating the wrong types of foods if we are allergic. Would we willingly eat something that can make us sick? No—of course not, but then why can’t we refrain from the things that are evil and can hurt our souls?

Sometimes people think that if they give up sin they are doing it for God. It goes something like this, “Lord—I am giving up evil for you, now please do this and this for me.” We bargain with God – I’ll do this if you do that. Giving up sin will give us freedom. It is not a bargaining tool. I learned this a week ago when I felt the need to repent and I thought about fasting. I would fast all day and eat one meal at night. After the first week, I decided to do it another week, and felt that the Lord said, “Did I ask you to do this?” My second week of fasting was not for any particular reason, whereas the first week was… and I felt called to do it. So, I listened.

This voice is one that we have to learn to hear, we hear it in our hearts and we can answer with a yes or a no – sure, it would not have hurt anything or anyone to fast each week, but my purpose was not to lose weight, it was repentance.

The freedom we want in our lives and the joy can only come when we are free of guilt. When we do what is right, when we are in communion with God, when we seek the eternal good over the temporal we will discover that joy that we crave. Many of the sinful acts are ones that bring temporary enjoyment. But that is not the same as joy – or happiness that is free from guilt. Even the most hardened sinner who thinks wrong is right and right is wrong, is often very angry when they spew their nonsense. I listed the other day in passing to a man who was claiming that what he believed should be elevated among all other things – but then, he completed the sentence condemning the Christians for their bias and Christianity had been foisted on those and forced.

You can not force someone to believe – in fact, there is no way humanly possible to force Christianity, true Christianity that changes a soul. That my friends is a gift, it is a pure gift from the Almighty that calls to us and brings us to that higher place that is where we stand with God and not against Him. True freedom is deciding for ourselves if we will answer the call if we will accept the gift from the Almighty and in this way, open our hearts for even more blessings in our lives.

Let’s pray – Lord please teach me what true freedom looks like – what is true freedom in Christ and how can I lead a life that is beneficial to my soul. Lord allow me to hear your voice, and lead me, show me the joy that true freedom from sin can bring and I pray specifically for the following needs… and I pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen!

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I recently listened to a secular YouTube video, and when the speaker said, “I always go back to my why,” it hit me. Why? A Powerful Question for Christians to ask ourselves. Do we as Christians go back to our why? In this podcast, we will explore this concept of the why behind our faith.

Why? A Powerful Question for Christians ~ Episode 352

Are you searching for deeper meaning in your spiritual life? In this episode of A Few Minutes with God, host Felice Gerwitz tackles the profound question of “WHY.” Discover why you pray, what you hope to gain from a relationship with God, and how faith can be truly freeing. Drawing from six powerful Scripture verses from the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE), Felice explores free will as God’s gift and ways to grow in faith by inviting Jesus into your daily life. Whether you’re a longtime believer or just starting your faith journey, this episode offers insights to strengthen your Christian walk. Exploring Your Spiritual “Why” in Prayer, Faith, and Relationship with God

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or directly on the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network website.

This episode is inspired by our ongoing journey to deepen our connection with the Lord, and I’ll share some scriptures that you may want to spend time with at a later point. If you’re driving, walking, or just taking a moment to listen in, I invite you to open your heart and let the Holy Spirit speak to you through these words. Let’s pray – Dear Lord Jesus, inspired by the confidence that you hear all of our prayers, I ask Lord that you be with us today and allow us to focus on why we believe, why we pray, and encourage us in our walk closer to you, today and always, Amen.

Why Faith, Prayer, and Relationship with God Matter

Let’s start with the question: What is your “why”? Why do you pray? Prayer shouldn’t be a checklist item; it’s our lifeline to God. It’s how we communicate with our Creator, express our gratitude, seek guidance, and intercede for others. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself why you pray? Is it out of habit, fear, or a genuine desire to draw closer to God? I thought about this very question, and it hit me hard. I’ll share my why with you at the end, but first, let’s look at the scriptures.

This is from James 5:16 (Read on air.) Here, St. James reminds us that prayer has power—not just for our own healing, but for others too. Prayer transforms us, aligns our will with God’s, and unleashes His grace in our lives. If your “why” for prayer is simply to get through the day, I challenge you to shift it toward building that intimate connection with the Father who loves you unconditionally. Remember God loves us. On the other hand, the enemy despises us, our weakness, and uses every chance to exploit those weaknesses. Prayer helps us to be strong in Christ! 2 Timothy 2:1-3 (Read On Air.)

Now, let’s think about what we hope to receive from a relationship with God. In a world full of temporary pleasures and temporary satisfactions, a relationship with God offers something eternal. It offers peace, (that peace that surpasses all understanding, Phillippians 4:7 (Read on air). Our relationship with God also gives us purpose and profound joy. We hope for His presence in our trials, His wisdom in our decisions, and His love that never fails. But ultimately, what we receive is God Himself—the blessed assurance that He is there for us, is something the pleasures of this world can not withstand or compare with.

In the Gospel of John, we read, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 Read on air). Jesus invites us to abide in Him, to remain connected, because without that relationship, our efforts are fruitless. What do you hope to receive? Perhaps strength for today, hope for tomorrow, or the ability to love as He loves. In this, we find fulfillment that the world cannot give.

This leads us to another layer: Is your “why” for yourself or for others? It’s natural to pray for our own needs—health, finances, peace of mind. But true Christian living calls us to look beyond ourselves. Our faith isn’t meant to be self-centered; it’s communal. When we pray for others, we participate in God’s redemptive work, becoming channels of His grace. That is why a faith community, a church, is so important. We join with other like-minded believers to worship and give glory to God.

St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians says: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). This verse challenges us to examine our motivations. Is your “why” only personal gain, or does it extend to lifting up your family, friends, and even strangers? Praying for others not only blesses them but also deepens our humility and compassion, drawing us closer to the heart of Christ, who prayed for us on the cross. It is especially important to pray for our enemies, those whom we don’t like. It is a choice, a decision, and not a feeling. We are told to love others, and faith in action is one way we show this, even if only to ourselves.

In this jaded world, why choose faith? To some, faith may seem outdated or irrational, but it’s the foundation of my spiritual life. Faith isn’t blind belief; it’s trusting in God’s promises even when we can’t see the full picture. It’s what pleases God and opens the door to His blessings. We don’t know the mind of God, and no amount of explaining can ever fully capture Who He is, but when we have faith, true faith, it surpasses anything else. There is nothing we can do for God but everything He can do for us.

Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Why faith? Because it connects us to the invisible reality of God’s kingdom. The examples we are often given are that you can’t see the wind, but you feel the effects of the wind. While we may not see God, we see the effects of God in our daily lives. Faith assures us that He is real, that He cares, and that seeking Him brings rewards—not material wealth necessarily, but spiritual riches like inner peace and eternal life.

But faith isn’t just about belief; it’s freeing. In a world bound by fears, addictions, and the pressures of society, faith liberates us. It breaks the chains of doubt and despair, allowing us to live in the freedom Christ won for us. Faith reminds us that we’re not slaves to sin or circumstance; we’re children of God, empowered by His Spirit.

Galatians 5:1 states, (and again, this is Paul). “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Faith is freeing because it shifts our reliance from our own strength to God’s infinite power. It frees us from the need to control everything, from the burden of perfectionism, and from the fear of failure. When we embrace faith, we step into the freedom of trusting that God has a plan, even when we don’t know it.

But what is faith without understanding freedom, and this freedom is tied to the gift of free will. Many people believe that faith restricts your freedom and does not allow you to do what they want. On the contrary, God didn’t create us as puppets; He gave us the ability to choose—to love Him or not, to follow His ways or our own. This free will is a profound expression of His love, respecting our dignity as His creations.

The Book of Sirach captures this truth: “It was he who created man in the beginning, and he left him in the power of his own inclination” (Sirach 15:14). Free will is a gift because it allows us to choose God on our own accord, we make our faith authentic by this choice and therefore our love for God is real. But with this gift comes responsibility: We must choose daily to join our will with His, resisting temptations that lead us astray.

Finally, how can we grow in faith by allowing the Lord Jesus to work in our lives? Growth doesn’t happen in isolation; it requires surrender. We grow when we let Jesus prune our us, enlarge our hearts with the capacity to love and to forgive and to guide our steps, and fill us with His grace. Through prayer, Scripture, sacraments, and community, we invite Him to transform us.

Friends, growing in faith means saying “yes” to Jesus every day—yes to His teachings, yes to His corrections, yes to His invitations. It means allowing Him to work through our weaknesses, turning them into strengths for His glory. As we do this, our “why” becomes clearer: We pray, relate, and believe not for temporary reasons, but for the eternal joy of knowing Him.

As promised, I will share my “why,” the reason behind what I do. The reason is ultimately because I can’t stop thanking God for all that He has done for me. In the hardships, in the midst of crisis, in life, and death. I praise Almighty God and the love He has given me, even before I was born. I do what I do because I genuinely believe I can never outgive the Lord. He is my WHY.

Take a moment to consider your “why,” write it down, and ask the Lord to encourage you in your faith journey. If you can, close your eyes and ask God: “Lord, what is my ‘why’? Help me align it with Yours.”

Key Takeaways: Deepen Your Christian Faith Today

Prayer Isn’t Just Routine: It’s a powerful tool for healing and connection—make it intentional.
Relationship with God Offers Eternal Rewards: Abide in Him to bear fruit and find purpose.
Faith for Others: Extend your “why” beyond yourself to bless your community.
Faith Frees You: Break free from fears by trusting in God’s plan.
Embrace Free Will: Choose daily to align with Jesus for authentic growth.
Grow Through Surrender: Invite the Lord to work in your life for deeper faith.

Thank you for joining me today on A Few Minutes with God. If this episode resonated with you, I encourage you to explore these past episodes for more inspiration:

Faith in Action: Living Your Faith Boldly – Episode 348 – Dive deeper into putting faith into practice.
Keeping Your Faith Alive – Tips on nurturing your faith daily.
Open Your Heart to God’s Love – Episode 328 – Reflect on receiving God’s love in relationships.
Praying for a Friend – Episode 350 – Explore intercessory prayer for others.
God’s Provision: Trusting Him – Trusting God’s why in provision.
Relationship with God – Building that vital connection.

Remember, God is always calling us deeper. Until next time, spend a few minutes with God each day, and may His peace be with you.

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Freedom in Christ

Freedom in Christ