1 Peter 2:15-16 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.
People are watching us, as Christians, to determine how we live. If we live in obedience to Christ Jesus, it will be a defense of the Gospel; however, if we live according to the world standards, it will be fodder for the gossip mongers. Jesus knew that people who did not study or read God’s Word would scrutinize our lives, so you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people by doing good.
Peter was pointing to the fact that by living in obedience to
Christ and the Gospel, we would be able to prevent and avert needless and
pointless disparagement and condemnation. Jesus was doing this when He paid the
temple taxes and the taxes owed to the Roman government (Matthew 17:24-27;
Matthew 22:21).
An argument requires two people, and it will never start if
Christians refuse to speak evil or seek retribution or revenge (Matthew 5:44).
Foolish people do not have an avenue to move on when you do not answer back.
Christians should undoubtedly appreciate and experience the
freedom we have in Christ Jesus. Our freedom stems from the premise that we are
not beholden to God to benefit from His approval and recognition. God accepts
us because of what Jesus did on the Cross of Calvary, not anything we might try
to do. We are no longer slaves or servants of Satan, so in that sense, we are
free from Satan’s grasps and hold on us. Consequently, we should use that
freedom to avoid sin, not to sin.
Some use their Christian freedom as a license to sin, as a channel
for a cover-up for evil. Our freedom or liberty won for us by Christ Jesus on
the Cross of Calvary then becomes a ploy or shroud for sin. Any excuse for
committing evil can be justified or rationalized by distorting or perverting
some scripture verse to one’s preconception (Galatians 5:13; 2 Peter 2:19).
Jude 4 For certain individuals whose condemnation was written
about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who
pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus
Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
This freedom abuse can be compared to a massive and powerful river, that has jumped its banks and wreaking havoc on all in its path. Whereas this freedom used appropriately is like that same river flowing within its banks, bringing revitalization and energizing all who partake of its water.
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