1 Peter 2:16 addresses the concept of Christian freedom, urging believers not to use their liberty as “a cloak of maliciousness”, but rather to live as servants of God – “as free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.”
While the freedom offered by Christ is complete (cf. John 8:36), believers often struggle to understand and apply it correctly. The apostle Peter deals with the challenges of fully experiencing this freedom.
Firstly, in the preceding context of 1 Peter 2:16, the apostle stresses Christians’ duty to submit to civil and ecclesiastical authorities, indicating that true Christian freedom does not justify rebellion. Instead, it involves obedience and respect for those in positions of authority, rejecting any misuse of freedom for personal defiance or selfish gain. Our freedom in Christ does not release us from our God-given obligations. It is distorted thinking that Christians are free from all moral laws and divine demands, and can indulge in any behaviour without consequences. To think of Christian liberty as a licence to neglect the importance of personal responsibilities and the pursuit of holiness is a great error!
So, Peter warns, “as free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness”. The Greek word for “cloke” (epikaluma) means a veil or cover, symbolising how some Christians misuse their spiritual freedom to mask “maliciousness” (Greek, kakia: evil or wickedness). Some who claim to be Christians engage in sinful activities by hiding behind the facade of Christian freedom. Within the church, there are various cases of abuse of Christian freedom, such as justifying spiritually unwholesome or sinful behaviour under the guise of spiritual liberty. Examples include indulgence in alcohol, entertainment, or pursuing material wealth at the expense of spiritual growth and service to the Lord. These actions contradict genuine freedom in Christ, leading to entanglement with worldliness and sin, rather than liberation. Christian freedom is not about selfish ambition or personal glory, but an increasing commitment to please the Lord with obedience and service to Him.
Jesus addresses such hypocritical behaviour in John 15:22, exposing the true nature of sin – “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.” Jesus came to remove all the “cloaks” that people use to cover their sins. True freedom in Christ means liberation from the deceit of sin and a genuine transformation towards righteousness, not an excuse to continue sinful lifestyles.
Peter further states that believers are liberated to become “servants of God”. True freedom in Christ should inspire believers to embrace their honourable role as God’s servants. In John 12:26, Jesus declares that the Father will honour those who serve Him – “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” This eternal honour is unlike the fleeting nature of worldly achievements. Serving God requires following Christ alone, not succumbing to worldly ambition or self-interest. Obedient service is evidence of true freedom from sin and Satan’s influence.
Romans 6:22 reinforces that freedom from sin leads to service to God: “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 7:22-24, Paul discusses the idea of being “free” yet serving God. Believers are freed from sin and lust to serve Him, highlighting that true freedom in Christ involves willingly becoming servants of God.
Christian freedom is not a licence for self-indulgence or for pursuing worldly pleasures and honours. Instead, it is a transformative liberation that should lead believers to serve God and align their lives with His purposes wholeheartedly. So, let us forsake worldly ambitions and sinful behaviour, and use our lives to honour God, knowing that true freedom comes from Him, who has freed us from the dominion of sin and Satan to serve His glorious purposes.
God has enabled our church to be actively involved in providing theological training to those who desire to serve the Lord in His church, especially in full-time service. God has enabled us to set up the Gethsemane Bible Institute in three countries – Ethiopia, the Philippines and India. About two years ago, the Lord also opened the doors to theological training in N.E. India, through Soli Deo Gloria Reformed Bible Academy.
With the help of our Bible Witness Media Ministry and Pr Samson, we have developed an online ministry of GBI since 2014. We have provided recorded lectures on the GBI website (www.gbi-online.com), and live online lectures for students of institutes in India. GBI Online also offers courses for preachers and pastors (Pastoral Biblical Studies—PBS) to further strengthen their understanding and ability to expound the truths of the Scriptures. For this particular course, God’s servants from several countries meet together online every Monday morning to study various topics.
God willing, the new semester of GBI Online will begin tomorrow. You can benefit from the courses we offer from GMC by attending the lecture onsite or joining online. Please register today for various courses announced in today’s church bulletin. If you need further course information, please contact Pr Samson Hutagalung (phone: +65 6741 1910; email: dean.gbionline@gmail.com).
We praise God for the generous support of God’s people, which has enabled us to freely provide these lectures to local and foreign students. Apart from the regular expenses for hosting lectures from GMC, we also have to spend money on upgrading the equipment (computers, audio-video cameras, etc.), servers, website, etc. Currently, our staff, with the help of some brethren in our church, are working to improve our GBI website and its various features to benefit online students.
We request your continued prayer and financial support for GBI Online, so that God’s servants can be well equipped for the work of the ministry of the Word around the world. Once again, through the forwardness of your love for Christ and the riches of your liberality towards His work, may GBI be further set forward for the furtherance of His kingdom.