1 Peter 2:16

A Call To Good Works

¹⁵ For it is the will of God that by doing right you may silence (muzzle, gag) the [culpable] ignorance and irresponsible criticisms of foolish people. ¹⁶ Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover or pretext for evil, but [use it and live] as bond-servants of God. ¹⁷ Show respect for all people [treat them honorably], love the brotherhood [of believers], fear God, honor the king.

Servants of God

Slaves of God

Romans 6:22

But now since you have been set free from sin and have become [willing] slaves to God, you have your benefit, resulting in sanctification [being made holy and set apart for God’s purpose], and the outcome [of this] is eternal life.

1 Corinthians 7:22

For he who was a slave when he was called in the Lord is a freedman of the Lord, likewise he who was free when he was called is a slave of Christ.

James 1:25

But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience].

Matthew 23:13

“But woe (judgment is coming) to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven in front of people; for you do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow those who are [in the process of] entering to do so.

John 8:32-36

And you will know the truth [regarding salvation], and the truth will set you free [from the penalty of sin].”

John 15:22

If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have [the guilt of their] sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.

Romans 6:18

And having been set free from sin, you have become the slaves of righteousness [of conformity to God’s will and purpose].

Galatians 5:1

It was for this freedom that Christ set us free [completely liberating us]; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery [which you once removed].

Galatians 5:13

For you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness), but through love serve and seek the best for one another.

Ephesians 6:6

not in the way of eye-service [working only when someone is watching you and only] to please men, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart;

Colossians 3:24

knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.

1 Thessalonians 2:5

For as you well know, we never came with words of flattery nor with a pretext for greed—God is our witness—

James 2:12

Speak and act [consistently] as people who are going to be judged by the law of liberty [that moral law that frees obedient Christians from the bondage of sin].

2 Peter 2:19

They promise them liberty, when they themselves are the slaves of depravity—for by whatever anyone is defeated and overcome, to that [person, thing, philosophy, or concept] he is continually enslaved.

Jude 1:4

For certain people have crept in unnoticed [just as if they were sneaking in by a side door]. They are ungodly persons whose condemnation was predicted long ago, for they distort the grace of our God into decadence and immoral freedom [viewing it as an opportunity to do whatever they want], and deny and disown our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.