The United States was built upon the foundation of freedom. Every fourth of July, the nation celebrates Independence Day. Freedom was the theme of the Declaration of Independence, the founding document that declared that all men are equal and possess the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Those of us who live in the United States have enjoyed the blessing of freedom that many people throughout history could not even imagine.
However, this concept – that freedom is the preferred environment in which mankind should live – was not just the opinion of the nation’s founding fathers. This is rooted in God’s plan for the human race. Notice what Peter wrote:
“Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God” (1 Peter 2:16).
Man in his natural state is free – in speech, thought, action, association, and religion. God has given us free will to choose what we will do in life. This is why Joshua challenged the people of Israel: “Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15). Yet this free will does not mean we are unaccountable. God will judge us for what we have done in this life (cf. Ecclesiastes 11:9; 12:14; 2 Corinthians 5:10). In the passage above, Peter explained that our “freedom” was not to be used to do “evil,” but that we were to act “as bondslaves of God.”
From the beginning, Satan has worked diligently to bring man into bondage by taking away the freedom offered by the Lord. Why would he do this? A lack of freedom (being in a state of bondage or tyranny) hinders one from serving God and fully enjoying a relationship with Him.
Things By Which Man Is Enslaved
The Bible talks about a few different ways in which we can find ourselves enslaved:
- Enslaved by sin – Satan introduced sin in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-6). Before this, Adam and Eve had enjoyed being in the presence of God (Genesis 3:8), but because of their sin, they were driven out of the Garden and away from the presence of the Lord (Genesis 3:24). Sin has kept man enslaved ever since. Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin” (John 8:34). This applies to all since “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
- Enslaved by the opinions of others – This occurs when someone is forced into accepting the will of others. This happened in Sodom when the men of the city demanded that Lot deliver his visitors to them (Genesis 19:4-5). When Lot resisted, they tried to impose their will on him through intimidation and force (Genesis 19:6-9). They insisted that if he was going to live among them, he must accept their behavior and not speak up against it.
- Enslaved by human governments – We might immediately think of the Israelites being enslaved in Egypt (Exodus 2:23). Yet even before this, the Egyptian people were enslaved to their own rulers (Genesis 47:19, 25). However, the Scriptures provide us with more details about the enslavement of the people of Israel. It resulted in harsh treatment (Exodus 1:13-14), confinement (Exodus 5:1-2), and a lack of religious freedom (Exodus 5:3).
Why would Satan prefer for men to be enslaved rather than free? The reason is obvious on the first point – enslavement to sin severs our fellowship with God (1 John 1:5-6). For the other two points, the enslavement of human opinions and enslavement by human governments makes serving the Lord more difficult and/or more dangerous. Anything that would make serving the Lord seem to be less desirable would certainly benefit our adversary.
Freedom Restored in Christ
Jesus came in order to make us “free” (John 8:36). Paul wrote, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17). Let us notice how Christ makes us free.
- Free from sin – People often do not realize they are enslaved to sin. When Jesus talked to the Jews about being made free, they incredulously answered, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?” (John 8:33). Jesus explained what He meant: “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin” (John 8:34). Without the freedom from sin that Christ offers, we would face eternal damnation (Romans 6:23). Yet we can become “freed from sin” when we become “obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed” (Romans 6:17-18).
- Free from any obligation to obey human commandments in religious matters – Paul explained that since “we have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world,” we are not to “submit…to decrees” that have been invented by men as part of their “self-made religion” (Colossians 2:20-23). Jesus defended His disciples’ right to refuse to submit to the “tradition of the elders,” making a distinction between “the word of God” and their human “tradition” (Matthew 15:2, 6). Paul did the same when he refused to allow certain “false brethren” to force Titus “to be circumcised” because this would amount to bringing Christians “into bondage” (Galatians 2:4).
- Free from civil authorities – Many Christians are quick to point out that we are to submit to civil authorities (Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:13-14). Yet this submission is conditional. In the same context where Peter said we are to “submit…to every human institution” (1 Peter 2:13), he also said we are to “act as free men” (1 Peter 2:16). When the Jewish rulers commanded the apostles to quit preaching in the name of Christ, Peter answered, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). For laws that are of no consequence to our service to God, we comply so as to not cause trouble (cf. 1 Timothy 2:2; 1 Peter 2:15). But for laws that would hinder or prevent us from carrying out our duties as Christians, we are free in Christ to ignore those laws just as the apostles ignored the mandate from the rulers. Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20), our king is Christ (John 18:37), and our law is His word (John 12:48).
In each of these areas, our “freedom [is not to be used] as a covering for evil, but… [used] as bondslaves of God” (1 Peter 2:16). Since we have been made free from sin, we are to “walk in newness of life” and be “slaves of righteousness” (Romans 6:4, 18). Since we are free from the obligation to obey human commandments in religious matters, we are instead to “do all in the name of the Lord” (Colossians 3:17). Since we are free from the need to submit to godless civil laws, we are to focus on “[leading] a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:2) as we “keep [our] behavior excellent” and engage in “good deeds” (1 Peter 2:12).
Conclusion
Peter said we are to “act as free men” (1 Peter 2:16). Why? It is because if we are in Christ, that is what we are. Let us not esteem lightly the gift of freedom God has given us. Instead, let us show gratitude by using this freedom to serve Him.
