We read in 1 Peter 2:16 (NASB) "Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond-slaves of God."

What is a free man? Is it a chance to take the gifts that God has given us to let others know of Gods love? Maybe a free man is a person who freeshimself from the lusts of the world.

I remember hearing in a movie some time ago, I cannot remember the movie, that the closer you grow toward God, the more the temptations of sin get greater, constantly testing your will to follow God. It is at times like these that we need to pray and ask for salvation. We can seek God at these times and He will guide us on the righteous path.

But the path is narrow to an understanding of God.

Matt 7:13-14, 13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (NIV)

So why is it narrow? Some may wonder why it is so narrow. It is because of the distractions of the day. We can come to know God, but often we are kept from knowing Him, not because we want to, but because we crowd Him out unnecesarily due to our busy schedules. We don't want to dismiss Him, but we often do it anyway, because we get so caught up in the traps of the day.

But what can we do about it? We can pray. I know you have probably heard manya preacher talk about prayer. And some people get so sick of hearing a believer trying to get them to pray. That is another reason why the road is narrow. It is because people often do not know any better.

But using freedom as a covering for evil could mean that we may be free to do as we please rather than living a right life.

But are we to be bond-slaves for God as in slaves in chains? I think the reference here in the Bible to bond-slaves is that since there are so many things in life to keep us away, we need to be steadfast in our belief in God and truly seek His guidance often. I do not think that God meant that we should suffer as slaves suffer, but to stick with our love for God and love for the men and women of this planet and to help them down the path to righteousness.

It is hard for me to believe that we are not supposed to help others. God put many people on this planet. Not to ignore each other and be selfish, but to be selfless from time-to-time in helping others. And what I mean by that is not to limit ourselves to helping only those we love, but to love others as much as possible. Because in order for us all to co-exist in harmony, we need to realize our place on earth and to respect the space of others. When we start to do that and continue to do so more and more, we will finally know what it is like to be at peace.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to understand the path you would like me to go down in my life. I thank you for the opportunities that you have given me and remind me throughout this week to pray, notice others, and try to see eye-to-eye with others often. Thank you for all your many blessings. Amen.

Benediction: Now, Lord, Bless us in our daily lives. Help us to smell the roses whenever possible, to shine our light on those less fortunate than us, and lead us in the path we should go. For you are the light that keeps our path well lit. Help us to follow it, until we meet you, in a land where milk and honey abound, a place where our most wonderful dreams are fulfilled. Amen.

Hi, my name is Bryan, a messenger of hope who would love to hear from you. God Bless.

© 2005 Bryan Hill