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"As bondservants of God"

Text: 1 Peter 2:16

PRACTICAL RAMIFICATIONS

Doctrine is important. Practical ramifications must also be given due consideration.

“As free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice,
but as bondservants of God.
Honour all people. Love the brotherhood.
Fear God. Honour the king.”
1 Peter 2:16-17

1. “As free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice”

a) Trust liberates marvellously (John 8:32).

b) True liberty

i) No longer in bondage to sin.

ii) Nor to legalistic practices.

c) But liberty must not be abused.

i) It must not be used as an excuse.

ii) It must not cause the believer to be irresponsible.

2. “But as bondservants of God”

a) We must use our liberty to choose to be bondservants of God.

b) This would be an appropriate way of responding.

i) We are at liberty to choose.

ii) We can choose to serve the Lord.

3. Understanding the Imperative mode

a) All the verbs were written in the imperative mode.

i) This mode indicates that it is a command.

ii) Yet, because of the exercise of “liberty” it may be understood as a strong entreaty.

b) Four areas of life

i) These are four common aspects of life.

ii) Every believer (in the first century especially) is somehow involved.

4. The four aspects

a) “All people”

i) Believers and non-believers.

ii) All are to be “honoured” (respected).

b) “The brotherhood”

i) The community of believers is in mind.

ii) It could be a church community.

iii) It could be a loose fraternity of scattered brethren.

iv) Love must be the hallmark.

c) “God”

i) He is to be held in reverence.

ii) He is to be highly respected.

d) “The king”

i) In the first century, to have a king was quite normal.

ii) Today, it would be a reference to the government.

iii) There must be respect or regard for those in authority.