READING: Ezekiel 24-26, 1 Peter 2
“. . . don’t use your freedom as a way to conceal evil.”
1 Peter 2:16
I love the freedom we have in Christ. Because He loves us supremely and completely, we’re free to love others without fear. His saving grace not only forgives us for yesterday’s sin, but it also grants us power to live for Christ today and tomorrow; we are freed from the bondage of sin. He so thoroughly transforms us that even the power of addictions is broken. Because He promises to be with us always, we also need not live under the control of worry. Perhaps most importantly, we have no reason to fear death after He’s given us eternal life.
In another of God’s unique contrasts (e.g., He makes us strongest when we are weak; He gives us life through His death), He grants us freedom when we are His slaves. Our full, complete, uncompromising submission to Him results in our being free. At the same time, though, Peter warned his readers, “As God’s slaves, live as free people, but don’t use your freedom as a way to conceal evil” (1 Pet. 2:16). Peter recognized that some believers would be tempted to use their freedom as a license to sin. They would convince themselves that their sin was not actually sin; after all, Jesus granted them freedom to live without condemnation. In their abuse of their freedom, they would actually reveal an ongoing bondage to wrong.
Frankly, I fear this concern is still an issue—especially for younger leaders who sometimes assume their freedom is a right more than a privilege. True freedom in Christ, on the other hand, grants us the grace to serve God and others without concern for self.
ACTION STEPS:
- Thank God for the freedom He grants you today.
- Evaluate whether you are using your “freedom” to get away with what you know is sin. If so, confess it.
PRAYER: “Father, thank You for my freedom. Help me to use it wisely today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Ezekiel 27-29, 1 Peter 3