(Monday was Memorial Day – a time to reflect and remember those who gave their lives for us to live as free people in this great country. Today, let’s pause and reflect on someone else who sacrificed His life for us.)

“Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover up for evil; live as God’s slaves.” I Peter 2:16 (NIV)

“It’s a free country!”   

“I’m not your slave!”  

“I can do whatever I want.”

Or the ever-popular: “I pay taxes; I have the right to know/do/say … (you finish the sentence here).”

Familiar phrases. Maybe you have heard them from your child, your spouse, a friend, an acquaintance, or even a total stranger. Maybe you catch yourself saying these things. All of these statements are generally made in the heat of a moment – usually out of anger or frustration. Usually when someone isn’t getting what he/she wants. 

Why is it that people believe that since we are blessed to live in a “free country” that we can act carelessly or irresponsibly? Why do people feel entitled to demand things from others? 

Instead of acting grateful and living with a servant attitude for the purpose of giving back to a place that gives so much individual freedom, people tend to use the idea of freedom as a reason to be – well – unreasonable. 

The scripture directs us to “live as God’s slaves.” 

To be obedient and follow through with this instruction in those moments when we are tempted to say, “It’s a free country…” we must instead respond with love, humility, and understanding. 

Ouch! That’s painful. We must think before we speak.  

Sure we have the right to free speech but even that has its limits – morally, ethically, and legally.

In this “free” country, there are rules and laws. There is always someone to tell you what to do whether it is a boss, a community official or someone else with authority over you. 

It is a hard lesson to learn but possibly the most important one: Exercising our freedom is less about doing what we want to – whether it is right or wrong – and is more to do with being free to follow Jesus. 

Aren’t we all a slave to something? I believe so. 

What has you shackled? What is weighing you down? 

Is it your work? Your attitude? An Addiction? Face it – You are a slave to something.

Yet, you have a choice. It is a free country, you know. 

So choose God. Choose to be a slave to doing what God would have you to do. You will find that when you choose to live as a slave to God, you will become free in so many other ways. Free of worry. Free of anxiety. Free from fear.  

Don’t use your freedom to cover up your shortcomings or to get your way. Use your freedom to show others the Way … not to get your way.