Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 23, 2023: SOAP #4980: 2Kings 20; Isaiah 38-39; Psalm 75; 1Peter 2

SCRIPTURE:  1Peter (NIV) 2:13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.
16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

OBSERVATION:  In the heart of scriptures that speak of submitting to governmental authority and of slaves submitting to earthly masters, we read a principle that applies to all!   Free, or not, we are to live as free men!  AND free or not, we are to live as servants of God. 

God has set us free.  We may not be free to do everything we like, but we have freedom to respond as we choose.  We have freedom of attitude.  The “old man’s” habits do not control me any longer!   Praise the Lord!!! 

APPLICATION:  While living like I am free, I must always remember that I am a servant of God!   I am a servant by free choice!  My circumstances cannot force me to be angry or negative!  By the death of Jesus on the cross, I am set free.  Not only am I set free from the chains of the old way of living, the Holy Spirit lives within to help me use my freedom to live as a servant of God!!! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, obviously you knew that not only would I need help in getting free, but I would also need help in living free.  I need help to live as your servant!  Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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