1 Peter 2 Submission to Government

For the Lord’s Sake

1 Peter 2:13–17 ESV

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

As you live in this world, be Christian: Honor all people, love your Christian family, fear God, Honor the King.

As Christians, this is what we are called to be and do… even when people or kings are ungodly… even then… honor and submit to authority for the Lord’s sake.

This is key: Peter is about to lay out order for Christian living - For individuals, workers, under the government and in the home. And he is saying that we are to do this for the Lord.

Point: This is pleasing to the Lord. Submission, order, honoring is pleasing to Jesus. Stay focused on that.

We live in a time when the word “submission” is a dirty word. The natural inclination is to be in control, to rebel against all authority that sets itself up against us and to do our our thing.

The only order we like is the order that we give or the order that supplies satisfaction to our flesh… or makes us happy.

In and through our personal experiences with autonomy, or self-governance, we discover times and outcomes of disorder, anarchy, and death causing chaos.

We need order. Our lives need order. Our world needs order. Why? Because God is a God of order and that is how He set life to exist. God loves order. He is the Author of order. He is not the Author of confusion but of order and peace.

God is not a god out of control, but in control, calling all of His people to practice self-control and to first and foremost submit to Himself as Lord/Master/God over their lives.

Jesus is Lord… therefore… be the greatest servant to your nation, to your leaders, and to your family.

**The first area is government.**

God has created governments and has established leaders. Romans 13:1 - Be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God. God has established every authority. Therefore, to resist these authorities is to resist God.

a. Obey the laws of the land. Do not be law breakers but law abiders. Do not rebel. Do not fight police officers and attack government workers. Do not riot their offices and wage violent warfare against them.

Do not hate the mission field. Witness to the mission field. Tell them the ways of God. Show them what right and wrong is. Use your voice to warn them of their ways and to turn them from their ways. Write them, call them, pray for them...

One thing: If you didn’t vote, don’t complain. If you are not praying for them… start there.

b. Caesar was not voted in. Rome would take every thing away from you, even your life and burn your house down if they wanted to… And it is in this context that Peter is giving this Christian command and response to the authorities that be.

Honor them. They are image bearers of God. They have been placed into position by God, ultimately, and will be used by God in some way. Our responsibility is to be Christian; be holy; be godly; stand for what Christ stands for… under His authority.

*Meekness is not weakness. It is power under control. The most powerful creatures can be tamed by the Master Tamer.

*We are set free by Christ and for Christ. We are set free to serve God and to serve others freely… Not to cause death but to bring life… Not to cause anarchy, but to bring God’s order to the earth as it is in heaven.

In the 1st century, Christians were accused of cannibalism, atheism, and being trouble makers. Rumors were being spread about them causing problems, and Christians would write to them, have discussions with them about the Christian faith, to teach them the truth.

These defenders of the faith would defend the faith with honor… and would say, “If you would only look at our lives, you would see the truth...” “Watch how we live.” This will silence the ignorance of foolish men...

Why? Because they were doing what was right. There is nothing you can throw at righteousness… unless you lie and bring up false accusations. Doing what is right shuts up mouth and gives the opponent nothing to work with.

*Now, someone shout, “Peter, have you never disobeyed the authorities that be?” Acts 4:18-20 - When it comes down to what God has clearly said and what men say… I am going to obey God and never violate His command or my conscience.

I am going to obey God above man. I am going to do what is right before Christ before man.

No, I am going to continue to speak the name of Christ. No I am going to continue to preach and to teach God’s Word. No, I am going to continue to pray and read my Bible in private and public. No, I am going to give my children a Christian education. No, I will not support the LGBTQ movement. No, I will not support abortion, or policies that support racism or injustices.

No, I must speak out against evil and wickedness. No, there can be justice for all without partiality. No, all lives matter; children matter, old people matter, life matters; the constitution matters, our beliefs matter. No, we do not want these books in our libraries. No, we want prayer in our schools. No, we do not want drag queens having story time with our children

And we can and must stand and proclaim these things, in a clear and godly manner. We desire for God’s Kingdom to come and for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. We want God’s will to be done in our homes, our churches, our schools, communities, our state and in our nation.

We must disciple government leaders, not kill them. We must reach them and teach them… not beat them. They are the mission field and they belong to God.

So, we honor our authorities as we stand before them, and live under them; not as slaves to them, but as servants of God. He is our ultimate Master… And this is what our Master is telling us to do.

We can speak the truth and live the truth, without compromise, while still honoring those who are in these positions.

Matthew 22:21 - Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s. (Give government the tax amount, and give God your heart)