Live Free 

Julie Fillinger • January 14, 2025

Share this article

Live Free  

Wouldn’t you say yes to removing the pressure of trying to be something you’re not? You weren’t weighed down by anything that would keep you from discovering who you were meant to be. You had confidence any obstacles on the path to this freedom would be removed. Your dreams would be realized because you were doing fulfilling work that mattered.  Hope would be renewed as you basked in a lifestyle with love, joy, and peace at its core. This is what it means to Live Free. And it is yours for the taking. 

Duty v. Love  

My husband and I realized not that long ago that we were legalistic. We thought we were enjoying freedom in Christ. Upon closer inspection, we both had areas in which we struggled that we were adding to Christ’s work. I won’t speak for him, but I felt obligated to do certain things to be spiritual. Acts of service were being done out of duty not love. And because of that, they felt heavy. So very heavy.  

What changed?  

I had to get to the point of being okay with just God before I even realized I was struggling with legalism. In the morning, when I got up to meet with God, I asked Him to help me not worry about anything else in those moments. I was meeting with Him, and it was my most important meeting of the day. I had to learn how to sit still and be quiet before Him. It had to become a discipline I practiced. Just me and God, no one else. I didn’t have to do anything or perform a certain way. I was alone with God and His Spirit in me began to nudge me in such a way that said since He was okay with me, everything else would fall into place. 

This idea of just me and God gave me such a sense of freedom. I didn’t want to do things out of duty but out of love. I could do almost all of the same things I was already doing but doing them from a heart of love removed the weight of obligation. I wanted to serve my Lord because I loved Him and I trusted He would show me what that looks like with the gifts He gave me.  

The Path to Freedom  

That’s when I started searching for my next Bible study to further investigate this idea of what it meant to live free. My research kept taking me to the same book of the Bible. I will be studying Galatians over the next few months using David Jeremiah’s book, The Path to Freedom . I plan to share my reflections here.  

I hope you will join me on the path to discovering the freedom of living by the Spirit. The abundant Christian life is a powerful and practical one that’s not out of reach. I don’t think you will be disappointed. If you give it a chance, the Holy Spirit will take over. Before long, you won’t be able to get enough.  

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 
Galatians 5:1 ESV 

The post Live Free  appeared first on julie fillinger.

Recent Posts

By Julie Fillinger June 23, 2026
Julie Fillinger Sometimes I am guilty of biding my time until I get to heaven. I discovered enjoying God’s presence everyday changes my perspective on how I see suffering, waiting, and the journey ahead. In today’s podcast, I talk about what God used to help me make that shift. The post The Shift That Changes Everything appeared first on julie fillinger.
By Julie Fillinger June 9, 2026
Julie Fillinger Susan Sellers shares a moving testimony of faith, perseverance, and God’s faithfulness through unexpected health struggles. In this Women of Faith episode, she reflects on open-heart surgery, years of complications, and the peace she found by trusting God when life did not go according to her original plan. The post How God Changed Susan’s Plans…And Her Perspective appeared first on julie fillinger.
By Julie Fillinger May 26, 2026
Julie Fillinger In this powerful Women of Faith conversation, Sonya Fortner shares her ongoing grief journey after the loss of her daughter Hannah. Together we discuss quiet courage, forgiveness, faith in suffering, and how God’s grace meets us in heartbreak. This honest conversation offers hope, healing, and encouragement for anyone walking through loss. The post Sonya’s Story of Quiet Courage and the Impact of Forgiveness appeared first on julie fillinger.
By Julie Fillinger May 12, 2026
Julie Fillinger In this Women of Faith episode, Phyllis Smith shares how God shaped her through family life, military moves, community, widowhood, and an ongoing battle with cancer. Her steady perspective—taking each day as it comes—offers practical hope for anyone walking through loss or uncertainty. The post Phyllis Smith: A Life of Faith and Resilience appeared first on julie fillinger.
By Julie Fillinger April 28, 2026
Julie Fillinger Elizabeth Miller shares how true peace and contentment are found not in achievement or status, but in a surrendered relationship with Jesus Christ. Through college challenges, pageant experiences, and career lessons, her story encourages women to fix their minds on Christ and discover lasting purpose, identity, and joy beyond performance. The post From Pageants to Purpose: Elizabeth’s Journey to Peace and Contentment appeared first on julie fillinger.
By Julie Fillinger April 14, 2026
Julie Fillinger In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with my friend Ashley as she shares her story of child loss, faith, and the peace that only God can give. Together, we talk honestly about grief, heaven, and how God meets us in life’s deepest sorrow. The post Ashley’s Story: Turning Pain into Purpose appeared first on julie fillinger.
By Julie Fillinger March 31, 2026
Julie Fillinger Loneliness persists even in busy, connected lives. This message explores why community alone cannot heal the ache within, and how God’s presence transforms isolation into hope. Through Scripture, worship, and Spirit-filled fellowship, we discover true connection, renewed perspective, and the assurance that we are never truly alone. The post The Cure for Loneliness appeared first on julie fillinger.
By Julie Fillinger March 17, 2026
Julie Fillinger We just finished leading our Courage for the Journey Live series, and our hearts are full. Over six Wednesday nights, we explored our view of God, suffering, courage, hope, peace, and prayer together. This recap reflects what resonated, what surprised us, and where we believe God is leading us next in this season.  The post End of the Live Series Recap appeared first on julie fillinger.
By Julie Fillinger March 10, 2026
Julie Fillinger Prayer begins with humility. I come trusting God’s goodness, nearness, and faithfulness.  Even the groans of my spirit and cries of my heart speak to God. As I approach Him with surrender, He meets my dependence with grace, reshaping my heart to trust Him and release the control that wasn’t mine to begin with.  The post The Heart Cries and Groans of Prayer  appeared first on julie fillinger.
By Julie Fillinger March 3, 2026
Julie Fillinger Through faith in Jesus, I have peace with God that steadies my heart when life feels uncertain. This devotional explores the difference between peace with God and the peace of God, showing how trust and prayer replace anxiety with hope and rest, even in suffering. The post Peace With God Is Real appeared first on julie fillinger.
Show More