July 4th
Blind Corners
For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish menas free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 1 Peter 2:15-16
Have you ever wondered what God's will is?
We always begin to ask this as we approach times of transition in our lives. Whom does God want me to marry? Where does God want me to go to college? Does God want me to start this new business? Is it God's will to move and take a new job?
These major shifts in our lives give us pause, forcing us to seek God for His plan for our lives. While I am not saying this is bad, I can say for certain that God's will is not an elusive mystery, for He has already told us plainly what it is.
God's will is for us to do good, and in so doing, silence the voices of those who would malign God and His Church.
Yet there is a tension, isn't there, because God has also given us freedom. God is sovereign, yet He also holds us accountable for our decisions. We must choose what to do with our freedom, whether to use it for ourselves or for others.
This is what Peter says, that we should not use our freedom as a cloak for vice. It is not to become an excuse for sin that controls our lives!
Oh, well, I can drink as much as I want because I'm free. It doesn't matter that I'm drunk more than I'm sober.
Oh, I can sleep with my boyfriend. What else is freedom for?
Oh, I can join in the negative conversation and gossip at work. Besides, that's what keeps me in relationship with them, and how can I reach them if I don't ever talk to them?
A better question would be, how will you reach them if you sacrifice your witness by how you talk? Or, how will you reach them to change if you are no different?
Our freedom is not a gift for ourselves, but for others. As a bondslave was freed, yet chose to remain in service, God has freed us, yet we choose to serve Him.
Prayer Lord Jesus,
Thank You for setting me free! I choose to use my freedom for others, serving You to do good. Please help me as I look for ways every day to do good to those around me!
Amen