The Ultimate Freedom

Have you ever been in a church service where you’re so engaged in the worship that the presence of God overwhelms you? I had a moment like that this past Sunday.

I was weighed down thinking of the chaos and division in the world, the real and hard battles that some people in my life are walking through, and some difficulties that I’m facing. As worship continued and the next song began, I was reminded how Jesus provides true freedom to those who follow Him—not just freedom from our current circumstances or struggles, but freedom from humanity’s greatest enemy: spiritual and physical death.

Let's sit in this for a minute. If you read the Bible and believe that every word is true, then you understand that death was not a part of God’s original plan for all of us made in His image. Let's take a look at how we got here. God lived with Adam and Eve in the garden. He walked with them and talked with them. Their relationship with the Creator was meant to be eternal in nature and not end in their physical and spiritual death.

But then we know what happened - Satan sowed that first seed of doubt with the question ‘Did God really say…’, and humanity took the bait.

Adam and Eve (along us if we are being honest) disobeyed the Lord and chose to do things their way.  God had even warned them: “For on the day you eat from [the tree of the knowledge of good and evil], you will certainly die” (Genesis 2:17).

We see this truth clearly in the New Testament: “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a), but it’s beautifully bookended by the hope-filled promise, “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Yet this good news didn’t begin with the New Testament. From the very moment sin entered the world, God—in His kind and generous provision—offered a glimpse of His plan to reconcile us to Himself. What scholars call the protoevangelium, or the first gospel, was spoken by God right then and there. The message that Jesus is the only way back to the Father has always been God’s rescue plan.

Genesis 3:15 states - “I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” The great news of the gospel is that Jesus fulfills this. He not only conquered death, the byproduct of sin, but will strike Satan down once and for all as well.

Standing on this truth can get us through the hardest of times because it allows us to think more eternally instead of temporally. I know from experience how devastating it is to lose someone close to you and wander aimlessly through the grief process. I’m sure you’re thinking of someone right now that impacted you that way.

The longer I walk with Christ, the more John 3:16 goes from my head to my heart - “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” 

The world makes it so easy to think solely about our lives here. It is true that through God’s common grace, we can have a wonderful Earthly life. But what waits for us is so incomprehensibly better! 

Our faith is not built on sand, but on the Rock. We can’t escape trials, and we all know that our mortal bodies will eventually fade -  but we will transition into immortality if we are in Christ. The ultimate freedom and victory is in Him, not relief from our circumstances. 

All of these thoughts came rushing to me during that worship service. The second song started and throughout it I prayed and meditated on these words:

When the sea is raging

Your Spirit is my help

I'll fix my eyes on Jesus Christ

And I'll say that is well

I'm fighting a battle

You've already won

No matter what comes my way

I will overcome

I don't know what You're doing

But I know what You've done 

I'm fighting a battle

You've already won

I know how the story ends

We will be with You again

You're my Savior my defense

No more fear in life or death

I know how this story ends

(You’ve Already Won - Shane & Shane)

For me and for you, there is no longer any fear. We know how the story ends; Jesus has the victory! The weight of that truth swept me up in a joy so deep, it's hard to put into words. And that, friends, is the kind of truth that anchors our souls, lifts our eyes, and reminds us that no matter what we face—we are already on the winning side.

FOR FURTHER THOUGHT:

What are you facing right now? Take a few minutes to listen to the full song You’ve Already Won, and ask the Lord to encourage and strengthen you as you do. He promises to walk with us through every season—and in Him, we have victory that leads to eternal life.

As you listen, grab a journal and jot down any phrases from the song that speak to your heart. Let those truths anchor you. Then write out a personal prayer, bringing your requests to God and asking Him to make His presence known to you in the middle of your circumstances.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank you so much that you love us beyond what we could ever comprehend. Thank you that at the very first appearance of separation from You, You had a plan to reconcile us to Yourself. Help us see this life eternally like You do. Let us not waste any gift you’ve given us to bless others and tell them about the hope we have in You. Holy Spirit, guide us into all truth so we can see that You are the ultimate prize and fix our eyes on You. Amen.

ABOUT MORGAN BENNER

Morgan Benner is a woman transformed by faith, and if you had met her in the first 27 years of her life, you might not recognize her today. Jesus completely changed her, making her not just a different person but a new one. She now enjoys life with her best friend and husband, Derek, and their sweet three-year-old daughter, continually experiencing God’s love and growing in faith through her family. A creative at heart, Morgan uses her gifts to serve at her church—whether through video announcements, social media, small group leadership, or welcoming others into an encounter with Jesus. Professionally, she works as a Talent Acquisition Manager for a Fortune 500 company, a role that reflects her deep love for people. Known for meeting others right where they are, she is passionate about sharing the good news of the One who changed her life.

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