by Timothy W. Burnett
During the time of Jesus� ministry before he died, the Roman Empire faced a simmering threat of rebellion from within the Jewish people. After Jesus began his ministry, many of the people sought to set him up as the king who would free them from Roman rule. Jesus clearly understood who he was and where he stood with God as well as with the worldly kingdom, and he stood against all attempts to thrust him into the position of an earthly political king. He knew his kingdom would be truly from God at the appointed time. More information about it can be found in the book of Revelation related to future events that have not been fulfilled yet.
Jesus knew that it was not God�s will for him to serve the cause of political freedom. This kind of freedom is of the earth and is obtained by the power of people, as seen in the American rebellion against the British kingdom during the 18th century. In contrast, the kingdom from heaven will be ruled by our Lord Jesus Christ according with authority from his Father who will give him the kingdom.
Continuing with 1Peter 2:15, �For so is the will of God, that with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.� In acting rightly, we put to silence the disobedient people who are lacking in true knowledge. An example of this can be found in Matthew 22:24-32 where Jesus Christ silenced the Jewish leaders. His answer began with, �You do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God� (verse 29). After his simple and accurate answer, the hearers were astonished at his teaching.
�That with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God� (1Peter 2:15-16). This is such a beautiful verse! We just learned to submit ourselves to people�s ordinances, and here we are referred to as being free. How are we free? We are free from the bondage of sin and everlasting death.
Hebrews 2:14-15 shines more light on this subject, �For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same [the flesh], that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.� All of mankind is under one true bondage which is death. And there is no record of one single war ever delivering a country of people from this bondage.
Only one man had the ability to deliver us from this bondage, and he was our Lord Jesus Christ who allowed him self to suffer greatly and be killed with the hope and confidence that God would raise him from the dead. God has given a greater liberty through our Lord Jesus Christ, than the political liberty which is protected in the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence.
As we seek to maintain our political freedom that was won by many of our ancestors during the 18th century, let�s not forget that Jesus Christ won the true battle and rescued us from the true bondage of death. He did it not by the power of other people, but by the power of his Father in heaven. This helps to keep things in right perspective.
As it is written in Galatians 5:1, �Stand fast therefore in the liberty where with Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.�
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