July 23 - Freedom in Slavery

 Read today’s texts first: 2 Kings 20; Isaiah 38,39; Psalms 75; 1 Peter 2

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

As slaves to God we have freedom from sin,
not freedom to sin!

At first I entitled today’s devo “Free Slaves,” but that sounded like a campaign for emancipation. While that’s a noble cause, it isn’t what Peter was talking about in 1 Peter 2. Our readings today suggest that the only way we can truly be free is to become a slave to Christ: Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God (2:16). It’s one of those paradox principles, like give to receive, serve to lead and die to live. Though it sounds contradictory, it’s more proof that God’s Kingdom functions completely opposite to the world. The world’s system is upside-down; God’s Kingdom is right-side up.

The god of this world is Satan, known for rebelling against his creator and usurping God’s authority (Is. 14). Pride, arrogance, self-sufficiency, selfish ambition, all find their source in him. The pathway to freedom, according to the Father of Lies, is to come out from under authority, be your own person, look out for #1, don’t let anyone tell you what to do. In other words, be your own god. It’s the lie he sold the first man and woman and everyone after them! For good reason the psalmist warns the arrogant: I said to the boastful, “Do not boast,” And to the wicked, “Do not lift up the horn; Do not lift up your horn on high, Do not speak with insolent pride” (75:4,5).

The problem is when we try to do that, we become slaves to Satan and sin (Rom.6:16). Those who try to free themselves from God sink into the worst bondage imaginable. They spiral down into darkness, depression, dependencies and despondency. They not only lose the freedom they sought, but they also lose hope, joy, peace of mind and real love. On the other hand, when we finally realize we were created to be dependent on God and interdependent with each other, then we find true freedom. Peter makes it clear that it is freedom from sin, not freedom to sin. It begins with becoming a “bondslave” of God. Bondslaves are voluntary; they serve out of love, not obligation. “Lord, the more I set my heart to serve You, the more freedom I enjoy. I say with Hezekiah, I will walk humbly with You all my years” (38:15).