Devotions: Live As Free

Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.

1 Peter 2:16 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

We are to behave as those who are free, but we must know who is free in order to act like them. This verse references John 8:32, from Tuesday: we will know the truth and the truth will set us free. In order to know that truth which brings freedom we must be a disciple of Christ, which means living as He would have us live, devoting our lives to Him, giving up everything of ourselves and the world for His sake. That is how we are to act: pursuing righteousness, seeking to grow in godliness, desiring to be like Christ. This includes doing what Jesus says, not just reading the Bible and then going on, but applying it to one’s life and living by it, becoming doers not hearers only. Another aspect of acting as free is to not use our freedom as an excuse to sin. Many say “if I’m not saved by my actions then it doesn’t matter what I do. I’m saved no matter what.” But that attitude reveals that self is god and not Jesus, and there is reason to doubt that person’s salvation. It shows a lack of concern for and understanding of God’s grace. But rather we are to enslave ourselves to God. We are to live as if we were His bondslaves. To be honest, we are enslaved no matter what we do, but unlike physical slaves, we choose who our master is. We are a slave to whomever we serve. We are not freed from all authority so that we are master of ourselves, that is a lie of the enemy. We are either a slave of God or of sin. We all start as slaves of sin, but through salvation are freed from that bondage and are made as slaves to God. Do not return to bondage to sin. Live as one set free by Christ!