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://www.bible.com/114/1pe.2.13-17.nkj

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Peter, speaking of the Roman Empire under Nero, a cruel oppressive leader, told his readers to respect all human authority. However, that’s not to say believers must compromise their conscious’s.
As Peter and the other apostles had told the high priest years earlier, “we ought to obey God rather than man (ACTS 5:29).
But it was and is today, possible in most aspects of life, to live according to the law of the land, though it is becoming more increasingly difficult as man’s laws are more and more contradicting God’s Law.
Today, whether we live in freedom or under a repressive government, we believes are called to cooperate with our rulers as far as our consciences will allow for the Lord’s sake, so that His people and the Good News will be heard and respected.
“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. Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
‭‭I Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬-‭25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
In no way, shape or form is our freedom in Christ an excuse to justify breaking the law of land, but at the same time, God’s commandments are believers priority; mans laws are not and never will be an excuse to break God’s laws.
We believers must obey God before man. We must honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
If believers are to be persecuted, it should be for their obedience to God, and not for breaking moral and civil laws.
In the past few years like never before, our governments and world leaders have weaponised fear against the people and used it to place more and more rules and controls, including restricting the gathering of the church, and it’s teachings. Furthermore, they impose rules to the church to join people together in same sex marriages that which is contrary to God’s Word.
Whilst we believers are called to obedience as far as we can to our governments and the laws of the land, we cannot come in agreement with sin, though we must love the sinner. Nor are we called to be abused and have every right to stand up against what is nothing less than dictatorship.
Peaceful demonstration is making ourselves heard.
But the truth is, this battle belongs to the Lord, so give it to Him through fasting and prayer.
My beloved, we believers are in a battle; not so much with people, but the demonic beings who are within them in this world. “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
My brethren, because of sin, most people come into this world demonised. True freedom comes from deliverance from these demonic beings.
Sin lets them in, including the sin of our ancestors.
Like squatters they take up residence within our flesh, and influence our very souls, our mind, will, and emotions.
Like Paul, we do that what we hate and fail to do what we ought what miserable people we are (ROMANS 7:13-23).
They bring nightmares, anxiety, depression, even suicidal thoughts. They bring sickness, addictions, and torment; their purpose is to steal, and to kill, and to destroy, your marriage, your career, and your very future (JOHN 10:10). “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 ‭7‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
True freedom is in Christ, He came to give you life, and that you have it more abundantly (JOHN 10:10).
“”I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.””
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
These words were spoken by Jesus Christ, who is way, the truth, and the life, He is the only way to our Father in heaven (JOHN 14:6).
“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” They 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 ‭8‬:‭31‬-‭36‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Sin, my beloved, lets these devil’s in and they hold their victims in bondage.
But James told us, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 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 ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen