Live As People Who Are Free

1 PETER 2:13-17
“Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
”‭‭I Peter‬ ‭2:13-17‬ ‭NKJV‬
‬https://bible.com/bible/114/1pe.2.13-17.NKJ

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When Peter told his readers to respect all human authority, he was speaking of the Roman Empire under Nero, a notorious cruel tyrant. That's not to say, he was telling believers to compromise their consciences.
As Peter had told the high priest years earlier, "We must always obey God rather than any human authority" (ACTS 5:29).
But it was and still is possible in most aspects of daily life, to live according to the law of the land.
In today's world, some Christians live in freedom while others live under repressive governments. Though, as we approach the coming day of the Lord, persecution is growing all around the world.
As Christians, we are all commanded to cooperate with rulers as far as our conscience will allow. We are to do this, "for the Lord's sake"-so that His Good News and His people will not be breaking moral or civil laws.
But however, that doesn’t mean we should remain silent when we see our world leaders abusing their powers; or pouring out unreasonable restrictions and mandates as is in today’s world.
We believers have an obligation to voice our concerns and stand up against the corrupt church and world leaders, governments, and organisations that are systematically silencing our voices, hiding truth, or destroying our financial systems, our businesses, our health organisations, and stealing our freedom to live godly lives.
It is the responsibility of the church to hold our governments accountable and on a godly path; “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9:6-7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Sadly, we are not seeing this and our world today and the people are slipping down a very slippery slope of darkness and all kinds of sinful behaviours have become acceptable in society including sexual immorality and abortion.
We believers have freedom in Christ, not to do as one wants, but rather to serve Christ.
The apostles defined freedom more narrowly than the normal use of the word in common language.
Christians are supposed to use freedom as a tool for a life of exuberant service. It's the foundation that God gives to us to reach our highest potential.
Because God gives us freedom from religious rules and eternal guilt, we must not seek to indulge in our own worldly desires, but rather we should reach for the best God has for us, that what is pleasing to Him.
But it’s not simply corrupt politicians and world leaders that hold us in bondage. ”For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.“
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
These are spiritual beings that live here today in this world.
Their purpose is to steal, and to kill, and to destroy, your life, your body, and even your eternal future, but Jesus came to give you life, and that you may have it more abundantly (JOHN 10:10).
These unclean spirits and demons, like squatters, enter our bodies which to them is a dwelling place, a physical body that they can operate from and dwell within in this physical world.
They enter through sin, even the sin of our ancestors and operate through our souls, our mind, will and emotions, to influence and manipulate our desires and responses to use us for the devil purposes.
Many say people cannot be possessed because possession is ownership and the devil owns no one.
But the truth is, our bodies are simply a vehicle to operate from in this physical world, and just like when a thief gets behind the wheel of one’s car, he takes possession of it and drives it in any direction he desires. That’s not ownership, when caught and evicted, the rightful owner takes back all control; furthermore, when the judge issues an eviction notice, the squatter has to leave the house; sometimes by force. ”Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. “James‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Submit to God, is to repent and turn from sin; to rebuke the devil is to verbally command him to leave in the authority of Jesus Christ, and he will flee from you.
Therefore, ”Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.“
‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Many people, through the sins of their ancestors, are born “demonised” and are unaware that they need deliverance.
They go through life not understanding why their lives go round and round the same roundabout of poverty, broken relationships, confusion, sickness, anxiety, depression, and misery.
They don’t understand why they repeatedly do what is wrong, and fail to do what they ought.
God’s Law is good, but Paul put it like this, “Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.“
‭‭Romans‬ ‭7‬:‭13‬-‭25‬ NKJV
My beloved, freedom starts within and comes only through Jesus Christ.
He said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”“
‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
The disciples were confused, and answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.“
‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭33‬-‭36‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Maybe you are struggling with repetitive sin, or caught up in addiction, or your life seems to be going round and round the same roundabout of despair. If so, it’s likely you need deliverance and need to seek help from within a church operating in the deliverance and healing ministry of Christ.
The truth is, deliverance is key to a changed life and healing.
But having been set free, let your freedom in Christ sing power, joy, and love, accountable to God; devoted to pleasing Him and helping others, “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.