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The Higher Liberty

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The Higher Liberty

by Gregory HHC, d
Minister of His Holy Church

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1 Peter 2:13

Should we submit to God or men? Should we ever go under authority or sell ourselves into bondage in exchange for benefits paid for by others in subjection? Do those applications for benefits always lead to tyranny and abuse? Do they snare us in a system of servitude?

Israel was forced to do so in Egypt because they had sold their own brother into bondage, but we were told to never return to that type of bondage again.190 The will of God for man is that he should be free to make choices and not be under the authority of men like Cain, Nimrod, Pharaoh, Saul, or Caesar, yet, we also see Peter say that you should:

“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;” 1 Peter 2:13

If we look at this verse word by word and put it into the context of the whole scripture we may see it in a new light. First, the Greek word Oun191 is not translated in the King James version. The meaning of oun is consequently or therefore. Peter’s verse 13 is an instruction in relation to prior statements.

“Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by [your] good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” 1 Peter 2:12

1 Peter 2:12 talks about our conduct among the Gentiles. The word Gentiles is from ethnos meaning other nations. The Kingdom was a nation under God, at hand, but it did not exercise authority over the people like other nations. Other people called them evil doers because they did not participate in the social welfare systems of kings and rulers. They freely contributed to their government, who rightly divided it from house to house, in pure religion, caring for the needy of their society, unspotted by the world, which was the world of Rome.

Peter does say “Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.” 1 Peter 2:14.

Paul knew that everyone seeking the Kingdom could not be free. But they should desire it, “Art thou called [being] a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use [it] rather.” 1Co 7:21

The accusation was often that these men of Christ did not make the offerings on the civil altars of Caesar’s government which supplied welfare for the needy of their society. Christians did not participate. They had their own system and men needed to contribute to it out of love so that they did not neglect the needy.

“For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye 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. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” 1 Peter 2:15-17

If you have signed up with or said yes to Caesar then you owe Caesar. If you have an agreement with him to eat at his table then you may owe him, but that again is because you have failed to listen to the prophets. You have failed to set the table of the Lord.

“Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.” Psalms 69:22

Because this precept of God is so fundamental Paul repeats it.

“And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:” Romans 11:9192

Is the social security system of the world religious? It is how the world takes care of its widows and orphans and needy, but it is not unspotted by the world. It is conformed to the world and very much entangled with it. It depends entirely on compelled offerings.

We should all be reminded that we were endowed by God in the beginning with rights and the exercise of those rights we call “liberty,” the “power to choose”, the “freedom of choice”. Governments are not endowed by God, but by us. If we give up our God given rights for the benefits of men who take from our neighbor, then we are rejecting God.

“Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29

 

 

 

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Return to the Table of Contents, Alphabetical Index or purchase the book The Higher Liberty

Related Articles and Audio:

  • Romans 13 part 1
    http://www.hisholychurch.org/media/audio/rm/Romans131.ram
  • ROMANS 13 verse 1 the higher liberty
    Does God want us to be subject or to be free?
    http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/romans13.php

    Romans 13 and I Peter 2,13-14
    Is the Bible consistent about setting men free or does it contradict itself?
    http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/romanspeter.php

    Romans 13, NN Video Series:7-10 4:32
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SEMYx6affo

    Footnotes:

     

    190Deuteronomy 17:16 “But he shall not ... cause the people to return to Egypt... forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.”

    191Oun defind then, therefore, accordingly, consequently, these things being so.

    192Ex 20:17, 23:32, 34:12..; Jud 10:14; 1 Sa 8:18; Pr 1:10, 23:1..; Ez 11:1-11 Jer 11:12; Micah 3:1-5; Ro 13:9, Mr 7:22, Mt 5:34, Ja 5:12; Gal 5:15

     

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