Session 17

You’re Free. Now What?

From 1 Peter: A 20-Day Devotional

In 1 Peter 2:16, Peter tells us to “Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil.” In America, the words “free” and “freedom” get thrown around so much that they lose their meaning.

To be free is to not be enslaved to another person or thing. In being free, we are not restricted by the control of sin—it cannot restrict what we do or how we live. To really understand what Peter commands, we have to reverse the logic to see the truth: Sin is a master that restricts our ability to love God.

Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). When we ask Jesus into our lives, He sets us free from sin. That freedom gives us the ability to love God and keep His commands. We have the freedom to serve a God of love, but using that freedom as a hall pass to do whatever we want, regardless of what God says, is selfish sin.

We cannot love Jesus and disobey His commands at the same time. So instead of thinking, “I will be forgiven for this later,” remember God has set you free to point people to Him — the best cause freedom can be used for.

Reflect:

• Has there ever been a time when you made a decision you knew was wrong but did it anyway, assuming you can ask forgiveness later (from the Lord or from another person)?
• Do you find yourself using your freedom in Jesus as an excuse for the same choices over and over? What are they?
• How is the Lord leading you to change your reactions in those situations or when faced with those choices in which you think, “I’ll do this and ask forgiveness later?”