1 Peter 2:13-17
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.”
1 Peter 2:13-17 NIV
Every four years seems to be filled with political anger and extreme statements. We hear things like if this candidate wins then I am moving to Canada. Or it is the end of the world if this politician wins. Or that our country is doomed and it is over is so and so becomes president. I have been alive enough to recognize that we hear these statements every four years. There is so much in 1 Peter 2:13–17. We think about what God is teaching us about our lives, about government. We think about how to live our lives in view of government around us. And yet we see God commanding followers of Jesus. This glorifies God to submit to the government around us. Obviously not as ultimate, but as a good institution designed by God while our supreme submission is still to God. God tells us that we must submit ourselves to every human institution. We must accept the authority of every human ruling power. That may seem hard to believe. I think it was hard to believe for the Christians in the first century. So the point is emphasized in verse 13. Whether it be to the emperor as supreme or to governors. God did not command this is a theoretical bubble where the rulers are Christians and they always do what is moral, right, and Godly. Nero would have been the emperor of the Roman Empire at this time, who was renown for being immoral and egomaniacal. But even still, Christians are to be subject to every human institution. Rebelling against human authority is rebelling against God. God is at work through these rulers. Peter says this in verse 13. As sent by him. These rulers are sent by him with a purpose. Now the intended purpose is that they would punish the evil and praise those who do good. But that is not how it always works out. Peter continues in verse 16 that you have freedoms but those freedoms are not to be used as a cover for evil. No matter what we must live as God’s servants. Our freedom is not to speak evil or do evil. We do not represent political parties. We represent Christ. We submit to these human institutions because of God’s authority. We submit because we are servants of a higher king. We are free but not to act dishonorably toward God or toward the world. We must look at how our behavior regarding politics and submission to governments looks to the world. Listen to what Jesus says and does. Honouring the king, queen, president, or government, can be increasingly challenging in a world that devalues the Word of God, pokes fun at believers, dismantles the moral absolutes of the Bible, promotes the relative opinions of sinful men, and rejoices in ungodly practices while tearing down the foundational truth that is rooted in God and revealed through Christ. But we are called to honour rulers and to pray for kings, presidents, prime ministers, and all who are in authority so we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all Godliness and dignity. Never should we compromise the truth, dilute our faith, or become involved in lawless behaviour, but by prayer and supplication through the guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we should be prepared to give an answer for the hope we have in Christ, no matter what the cost. May we seek to honour everyone in truth, love our brothers and sisters in Christ, fear the Lord in the beauty of holiness, honour the emperor and those in authority, be on our guard against the enemy, stand firm in the faith, be strong and very courageous, and trust in the Lord with all our heart without leaning on our own limited understanding. May our heart's desire be to acknowledge Him in all things, knowing He has promised to direct our paths!!!
Father thank You for this day and that we are not left in the dark but have been given clear teaching on the way we should behave toward sinner and saint alike in this fallen world as well as those in authority. Lord let Your abundant blessings be my friend and families portion today. Lord we pray that we may live in a way that honours You. Lord we’ve pray that our lives may become a clear testimony to all with whom we come in contact. Lord we pray that You have first place in our hearts and that our lives are lived as a sacrifice of praise for all that You have done for us. Lord use my friend to be the salt and light of Your Word to all today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !!
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