ARE YOU FREE TO JUMP OFF A BUILDING?

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

1 Peter 2:16-17 (NIV)

Being free is an interesting proposition. Does it mean being free to do anything? No, because I could freely choose to jump off the tallest building in downtown LA, but with out a parachute, I'd just die. Freedom does mean thoughtlessness or lawlessness. As a Christian, I am free from sin to serve God which means to live as I was created to live. 

Peter immediately speaks of respect. I have worked in some pretty tough neighborhoods and respect is a big thing, especially among boys and men. For many people respect is more like fear, just fear. But respect is not one person being afraid of another person doing something foolish and hurting them. That is just being afraid of someones lack of self-control displayed in a violent act. Respect is beyond treating someone as you would want them to treat you (also known as the golden rule). Respect is treating someone as a fellow child of God, created in his image. Respect is treating someone as Christ would treat them and remembering that Jesus died for them, just as he died for you. That is godly respect. That is true respect.  

So, freely live, freely love and freely respect all who God puts before you.

Lord, help us to love and respect everyone, even those who don't love and respect us. Praise be to you in us today!