Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 1 Corinthians 7:21-23
I continue my study looking at the life of Paul using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul. Today, I move to chapter nineteen - Showing the Truth of Christian Freedom, but Not in a Simplistic Way. Here, John Piper helps us see how, through the life and writings of Paul, we can navigate the complexities of life specifically in the area of submission to earthly authorities as we balance this submission with the freedom we have in Christ. Piper first starts by pointing to Paul's words from Colossians 3:1-3 and Philippians 3:20-21 where Paul describes how believers are citizens of Heaven. Piper then moves to Paul's words in Romans 13:1 and Ephesians 6:5-7 where - even though we are citizens of Heaven - we are to obey earthly authorities placed above us by God. Piper then describes how Paul helps us resolve the inevitable tension that results when obedience to God and earthly authorities conflict: obedience to God is the priority. We are referred to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 7:21-23, and Acts 20:28 as the scriptural basis for this guidance. Piper then looks at how Paul's description of Christian freedom extends beyond earthly authorities to freedom from the law (OT), pointing to Galatians 5:1-3 and Romans 5:8-9, 19, and 8:3 as examples where Paul's words help us. Piper then wraps the chapter by summarizing our freedom: "[s]o we are free from God’s law and free from the world’s institutions— even those ordained by God (e.g., state, business, home). Christ owns us and we are his. He is our absolute commander and protector. If he calls us to submit to any law or any institution, we do it. Not because the institution is absolute. And not because law-keeping makes us right with God. We do it because we believe Christ knows the way of love better than we do.*"*John Piper. 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul
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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO good as You give me true freedom in Christ - thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of the joy and blessings that come from freedom found in You. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
