Scripture

For you are free yet you are God’s slaves. So don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil

Observation

Because we are children of the Lord, we should honour God by respecting those who have authority over us, both the king and his officials. The officials are appointed to punish criminals and to honour those who do what is right.

We are free yet we are God’s slaves. We must never use our freedom to justify sin. We must respect everyone and love our christian brothers and sisters.

Slaves must respect the authority of their masters, not only if they are kind, but even if they are cruel. God is pleased when we do what is right, even when we are unfairly punished.

Application

People often misconstrue Christian freedom for a licence to do what we please. As a cynical philosopher said on his deathbed, “God will forgive. That is His business.”

God is not in the business of forgiving wilfulness There is grace and mercy, but we demonstrate our faith by living faithfully to the ways of God.

Christ has redeemed us, and so we are owned by Him. We were once slaves to sin but now we are slaves of Christ.

Therefore we must not use our freedom in Christ to do what displeases Christ. Instead we allow His love and the ministry of the Holy Spirit to transform us into the men and women that God created us to be.

Prayer.

Thank you, Lord, that you have lifted me out of the kingdom of darkness and into your kingdom. Please help me to live a life that pleases you in every way. Amen.