As followers of Christ, believers are called to live out their faith in a way that balances freedom in Christ with submission to authority. The apostle Peter teaches that Christians should use their freedom to serve God, not to indulge in selfish desires, as seen in 1 Peter 2:16. The concept of independence is also addressed in Galatians 5:1, where Paul reminds believers that they have been called to liberty, and in 2 Corinthians 3:17, which states that the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit is, there is freedom. Additionally, the Bible teaches that true independence is found in dependence on God, as expressed in Philippians 3:12, and that believers should respect and submit to governing authorities, as instructed in Romans 13:1-7.
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Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer. Therefore it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work. Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.”
Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
Take notice, therefore, of the kindness and severity of God: severity to those who fell, but kindness to you, if you continue in His kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.
until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you above your companions with the oil of joy.