✝️ 1 Corinthians 6:12 | The Freest Man

together with

Happy Thursday, everyone!

On Monday, we began the week with confrontation. We draw closer to the end with an extended hand, an invitation.

This is one of my favorite things to talk about..

In today’s email…

• ✝️ An invitation to give your life to Jesus (again)

• 🤝 Why Jesus is worthy of your trust

• 🔦 Community spotlight

✉️ subscribe here | support our work 👐 

MEMORIZE 🧠 

“___ ______ ___ ______ for __,” but ___ ___ ______ ___ _______.

“All ______ ___ ______ ___ __,” but I ____ ___ be _________ __ ________.

1 Corinthians 6:12

TOGETHER WITH PRISON FELLOWSHIP

God’s Word instructs us as believers to remember those in prison as if we were behind bars, sitting right next to them.

But how can we do this?

Thanks to Prison Fellowship, living out this verse is simple and life-changing for us and for our incarcerated brothers and sisters.

The answer? Bibles.

Your gift today to Prison Fellowship will put Bibles and Christian content into the hands of waiting prisoners.

Give now to reach men and women with what they need most: God’s Word! Thank you for remembering those in prison.

CONTEXT 📕 

We’ve seen that Paul is warning the Christians in Corinth: not everything that is permissible is beneficial. True freedom isn’t found in indulging desires but in submission to Christ.

But what happens when we shift our focus from Paul’s teaching to the life of Jesus Himself?

It’s easy to think of Jesus as the ultimate example of power and authority — the King of Kings, the Conqueror of Death. And He is.

But the greatest act of freedom wasn’t found in asserting His rights. It was found in laying them down.

Jesus — the only One who truly had the right to do whatever He pleased — chose to submit Himself completely to the will of the Father.

In Philippians 2:6-8, Paul describes this breathtaking act of self-denial:

Jesus could have chosen comfort and avoided suffering.

He could have chosen self-preservation and avoided sacrifice.

He could have chosen to prove His freedom by escaping the cross.

But instead, He chose the cross.

The freest Man to ever live willingly surrendered Himself, not because He had to, but because He loved the Father and loved us.

Let that sink in.

Christian freedom isn’t about pushing boundaries, proving independence, or indulging our desires.

It’s about surrendering everything to the Father who created us, the Son who surrendered everything for us, and the Spirit who dwells within us.

APPLY AND RESPOND

There are two kinds of freedom.

• One says, “Do whatever you want.” It sounds appealing, but it leads to bondage — to sin, to shame, to a life enslaved by our own desires.

• The other says, “Follow Jesus.” It sounds like surrender, but it leads to true freedom — freedom from guilt, from addiction, from the constant need to prove yourself.

Jesus offers you that freedom. But you have to choose it daily.

Maybe you’ve been living for yourself, making choices simply because you can, without considering if they’re actually leading you to life.

Maybe you’ve been mastered by something (a habit, an addiction, a need for approval) that you thought would make you happy but has only left you empty.

Maybe you’ve never truly given your life to Jesus, the One who laid down His freedom so that you could find yours in Him.

Today is the day to decide: Will you keep chasing a false version of freedom, or will you surrender to the only One who can actually set you free?

If you’ve never placed your trust in Jesus, this is your moment.

Pray something like this:

Jesus, I am tired of living for myself. I am tired of chasing freedom only to end up in chains. I believe You died for my sins, and I believe You rose again. Today, I surrender my life to You. Be my Savior. Be my Lord. Make me truly free. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer and want to trust in someone other than yourself, let someone know. Send a message, tell a friend, reach out to someone who can walk with you.

True freedom isn’t about living for yourself.

True freedom is found in Jesus alone.

And today, that freedom can be yours.

Walk in it.

COMMUNITY FEEDBACK ❤️ 

I went to Christian school for over 13 years and I’m learning so much from you. All of your newsletters are so informative - thank you for everything you do!

- Nanci

Today these verses are exactly where I'm at. There is a very close person to me who is in GREAT pain. Spiritually, mentally, and physically. Her pain is my pain. I KNOW the Father, I know he is with me. He always has been. Thank you for posting THIS particular Psalm today. It could not have been better and perfect, timing.

- R.T.

SHOUT-OUTS 📣 

HUGE thank you to Mark, Ramona, Ryan and everyone else who chose to pay-it-forward to get access to our new course and help us keep operating!

I got this message about the course and am so glad to see people benefit:

“Kieran - Just wanted to report back that I am only about half way through the course and it really has been super helpful.” - Matthew

Click below to get access!

ANSWER KEY ✅ 

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful.

“All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.

1 Corinthians 6:12