1 Peter 2:16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.

One of the ironies of the universe is that there is no greater freedom than being completely submitted and obedient to God. Conversely, human free will is one of the most dangerous things in the universe. Paul notably said, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1) He also said, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17) Also, famously, he said, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2) All of that must be balanced with what Peter says here, because the devil loves to twist the true freedom that is ours in Christ into libertinism, living to please the flesh, which is in direct violation of all that God has said. America is a good case in point, because no other nation has stood, and stands, as a symbol of liberty the way America does. At the same time, America is the source of the vast majority of the pornography in the world, as well as being the biggest market for illicit drugs of all sorts, with totally shocking numbers of overdose deaths every year. As we are less than a month from the 250^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this is a good time to consider what freedom means, particularly since we sing, “Sweet land of liberty.” No other country in history has fought a bitter civil war over the abolition of slavery, yet there are great numbers of people trapped in human trafficking even today. The contradictions are unending. We are back to what the Bible says about it all. Like Peter and Paul said, we are to live in freedom, because where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom, but we are never to use that freedom as an excuse for evil. That applies on the personal level, and it applies on the national level as well.

Of course, this applies to me as much as it does to anyone. I well remember the Christian writer who had never been a drinker, but started to drink some because of people who pointed out that he was free to do so in Christ. However, in short order he came to the realization that not only did he not need to drink to relax or have a good time, he was a strong influence on others, who might come under the bondage of alcoholism. Actually, that is the biggest reason I don’t drink. I don’t like beer, but there are a few alcoholic drinks I find tasty. That said, I feel no need of them, and I am certainly in a position of influencing others. In college I once tried to get drunk and didn’t succeed, but most other people don’t have such strong liver enzymes! I have at different times been enslaved by various not-good things, but God has given me liberty in each case, and I am deeply grateful. As a pastor, I am to lead the flock in the liberty of submission to God by His Spirit, because only in that way will we enjoy all the abundant blessings that He has prepared for us in Christ.

Father, thank You for this reminder. This would make quite a sermon! Thank You for how You so graciously speak to me. Help me know when and how to share Your truth with others, so that by that truth they may indeed be set free, (John 8:32) for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!