NOT USING YOUR LIBERTY FOR A CLOKE OF MALICIOUSNESS

Photo provided by June Roberson Ormesher

 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers 

and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, 

which war against the soul;  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.  Submit yourselves 

to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s 

sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

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.

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.  Servants, be subject 

to your masters with all fear; not only 

to the good and gentle, but also to the 

froward.  For this is thankworthy, if 

a man for conscience toward God 

endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

For what glory is it, if, when ye be 

buffeted for your faults, ye shall take

it patiently? but if, when ye do well, 

and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, 

this is acceptable with God.

For even hereunto were ye called: 

because Christ also suffered for us, 

leaving us an example, that ye 

should follow his steps:  Who did 

no sin, neither was guile found in 

his mouth:  Who, when he was 

reviled, reviled not again; when 

he suffered, he threatened not; 

but committed himself to him 

that judgeth righteously: Who his 

own self bare our sins in his own 

body on the tree, that we, being 

dead to sins, should live unto 

righteousness: by whose stripes 

ye were healed.  For ye were as 

sheep going astray; but are now 

returned unto the Shepherd and 

Bishop of your souls.

II Peter 2:11-25


HAPPY JULY 4TH