Braveheart's last word- "Freedom!" He spent his life fed up with the bondage and domination of his people. His motives may have been good or bad. That is for the historians to argue. But, the sentiment of freedom is at the core of many New Year's resolutions- freedom from sin's bondage, financial freedom, freedom from fatness,undisciplined life, overcommitment, shyness, unhealthy relationships, etc. Many of these resolutions have different titles or expressions. But, at the core, there is a desire to be unfettered by something.
Galatians 5:6 reminds us of God's simple intent: It is for freedom that God set us free. He doesn't set us free to tithe, work in the church, feel guilty about our sin, strive for perfection, resolve the past or anything else. Some of these things happen along the way. But, he simply wants his beloved creation to know what it is like to walk in freedom; not with the wind in our hair but with the Spirit in our hearts, not with a carefree life but a cared for life, not with financial freedom but with freedom from financial tyranny. There is a freedom that only comes through Jesus. All of the New Year's resolutions that are freedom based will only be as substantial as the core freedom underneath it- spiritual freedom in Christ.