[S] 1 Peter 2:16 --
16Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.
(NLT) 16For you are free, yet you are God's slaves, so don't use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.
[O] I like NASB's wording of: don't use freedom as ... but as .... NLT's wording gives me more practical perspective. The concept of applying freedom is two contrasting way caught my mind because I always thought freedom can only be used for good where in this verse it can be used to cover, or excuse to do, evil. Haven't I heard others say, I can be free to do whatever I want? What do you say to that? Now I know what to say: don't abuse it to justify your evil deeds. Freedom cannot be above moral standards where the good gives into the bad. Who'd want to live in a place where everyone pursues evil in the name of freedom? Or reversing that around, have you seen anyone spend their money to go suffer in the freedom of evil? Most people get upset if they are ill-treated a little by a customer service people, say cab driver, why would they want to buy themselves more ill-treatment?
On the other hand, when I use my freedom of choice to choose to be a bondslave of God, then what appears to be a restriction will actually free myself to fully live out my life's potential without any limits.
[A] The latter is where I want to be. I want to fully utilize my freedom in this country to surrender my life to Jesus so I would live out my life's potential He planned for me. to reach out and build up the community of believers.
[P] Thank You, Jesus, for giving me the freedom to choose You freely in this coutry. I would like to use that freedom to conform my life for Your mission here on earth. Please let me explore to the max while in Your realm of discipleship. In Your name. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment