THE STORY OF JESUS: 1 Peter 1-2
“Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil.” (1 Peter 2:16)
Peter begins with praise for the victory of Jesus over sin and death.
He reminds believers of who they are as God’s chosen people, His living temple.
Then he urges them to live accordingly, as people who belong to God.
This has huge implications for how we live and respond to evil.
We are free, but not free to do whatever we please; rather, free to do good!
We have been set free from slavery to sin and death, and now are God’s slaves.
Peter urges us to “live as God’s slaves” (1 Peter 2:16) in obedience to Him.
Jesus is our example of what this looks like, to “follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21)
We are free to love, to bless, to serve and submit for the benefit of others.
Saying we are saved or forgiven is not an excuse to not worry about sin.
If we do not hate sin, then we have not been saved from it; we are still its slaves.
We are dead to sin, we hate evil, and we long to do the opposite of sin and evil!
We are eager to do good, to follow in Jesus’s steps, to love and live like Him.
Is this desire to do what is good evident in my life as a Jesus follower?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You have set me free from evil, and restored me to God and goodness and life. May my heart reflect this. May my words and deeds reveal this devotion to You!