Peculiar People 4: Submission to Authorities

Intro

Can you please turn with me in your Bibles to 1 Peter 2:11-25.

We are continuing our series called Peculiar People, on the book of 1 Peter.

In this series we are looking at how those who are in Christ are peculiar people.

Compared to the world; we are weird, we are different…

in who we are,

in how we live,

and in what we hope for.

So far in this series we have seen that we are a people who has been given a living hope,

we are a people who has been called to live holy lives,

and we are a people who is being built up for the glory of God.

But remember that we are the peculiar people, we are the ones who are different, we are the ones who are weird.

That means that we are surrounded by many more who are different to us,

in who they are,

in how they live,

and in what they hope for.

Well our passage today begins a new section of the book of 1 Peter.

And in this new section the Apostle Peter gives instruction on how to live as Christians in an unbelieving and even hostile world.

But the purpose of this instruction is not physical survival.

The purpose of the instruction that Peter gives over these next couple of chapters;

is so that we will glorify God even in the midst of opposition,

and so that our behaviour will be a witness to those who do not yet believe.

Which takes me to our passage this morning.

1 Peter 2:11-25

1 Peter 2:11–25 ESV

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. 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. Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Exposition

Sojourners and Exiles (vv. 11-12)

vv. 11-12 of our passage acts as an introduction to this new section where Peter instructs Christians in how to live amongst unbelievers.

Peter begins by identifying brothers and sisters in Christ as sojourners and exiles in v. 11.

He says,

1 Peter 2:11 ESV

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

Sojourners

A sojourner is a visitor,

someone who is living among a people who are not their own.

Sojourner is a word that we see throughout the scriptures.

God had even given his people laws about the treatment of sojourners in their land.

One example is found in Exodus 22:21 where God commands,

Exodus 22:21 ESV

“You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.

Not only does God instruct his people to treat the gentiles travelling and staying in their lands lawfully and with respect,

but he points out that the Israelites had once been sojourners themselves in Egypt.

In Egypt, they had been oppressed, they had been wronged,

as Pharoah had enslaved them, and ordered their sons to be killed.

Living among a people not your own, being a sojourner, could certainly be a dangerous thing.

Exiles

The second thing that Peter calls the believers is a more familiar word,

and that is “exiles.”

We have already seen him refer to his original audience in Asia minor as “elect exiles,” at the beginning of the book.

An exile is someone who has been forced to live away from his native country,

often someone who has been sent away.

I’m sure you’ll remember that in the old testament, the kingdom of Judah had been sent into exile in Babylon because of their sin.

But Peter twice now in 1 Peter has referred to the believers he is writing to as exiles.

Because until the fullness of the kingdom of God comes with Christ’s return, we are exiles and sojourners.

We are living in a land not our own, amidst a people not our own.

So we have to learn how to live:

as believers among unbelievers,

as the godly among the godless,

as a holy people among the worldly.

This is the aim of Peter’s teaching in this section.

And this teaching was not only relevant to Christians in the first century,

but its applicable to Christians in any age and in any place,

as we see in these two instructions that Peter gives us early on in our passage.

Exhortation (vv. 11-12)

Abstain

The first exhortation that Peter gives us in v. 11 is to “abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”

This is a familiar instruction in the scriptures:

to reject those passions, those desires that we as sinners are naturally inclined to give in to.

Jesus teaches in Matthew 15:19-20 that,

Matthew 15:19–20 (ESV)

“Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person.”

We sin, because we desire that sin in our hearts.

But because of Christ’s death on the cross, we as Christians have been freed from slavery to sin,

so now we at war with these passions within us.

To give in to them is to give them victory,

but when we abstain from these passions by the power of the Holy Spirit, we have victory over them.

Gaining victory over sinful desires in our lives brings glory to God,

and brings peace in the life of a believer;

but it also brings peace and unity within the church, the body of believers.

Bringing the Gospel into Disrepute

Giving into the enemy of our sinful passions doesn’t only effect the individual,

but sin also effects those around us.

Within the church it creates division as James 4:1-2 tells us,

James 4:1–2 (ESV)

“What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. “

Division within the church due to sin is bad enough on it’s own,

but when the world sees sinfulness among the people of God, it brings the church and the gospel into disrepute.

In Romans 2 the Apostle Paul tells the Jews who were not obedient to the law that,

“The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

In the same way, the 2 Peter 2 tells us that the “way of truth [that is the way of salvation, the Christian faith] is blasphemed,”

because unbelievers see the sensuality, the sin, of false teachers in the church and those who follow them.

And we have certainly seen a lot of that over the past few decades.

Honour

How we live as believers matters.

It matters to God.

It matters to the unity of the church.

And it matters to our witness as Christians.

That is why Peter gives this second command in v. 12,

1 Peter 2:12 (ESV)

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles [that is unbelievers] honourable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

What Peter is saying here is: do not give unbelievers any legitimate reason to speak evil of you.

If an unbeliever slanders you as a Christian, it better be an actual slander.

For something to be a genuine slander, it must be false.

If someone calls you something bad and it’s true, that is not a slander, that is a rebuke.

If we are people who live differently from the world around us, there will be those who will dislike us, and even slander us.

But if we live honourably among unbelievers, doing good works in obedience to God’s word,

when we are slandered as evildoers others will be able to see the falsehood of the slander -

and maybe even come to Christ because of our good works.

This is what Peter means when he says that, “they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”

Those who see our good works, will praise God for them when the Spirit of God visits them and they believe.

Even though we might be slandered as evildoers,

our good works stand as a witness to our changed lives in Christ,

and can even draw unbelievers who once slandered us,

to desire that changed life for themselves.

How you live as a believer matters,

Abstain from your sinful passions,

and live honourably as a holy, righteous, and peculiar people amongst the unbelievers.

From Here Peter goes on to give more detailed instruction as to how to live honourably in the midst of an unbelieving world.

Citizens (vv. 13-17)

We are first shown how to live honourably as citizens in vv. 13-14 where he says,

1 Peter 2:13–14 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.

One of the great slanders that Christians often faced in the Roman empire,

was that they were called enemies of the state.

Jesus himself was accused of attempting to cause an insurrection against the Roman government before his crucifixion.

When Jesus’ accusers brought him before Pilate to have him killed,

they told Pilate in Luke 23:2 “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”

Now this was a slander, Jesus specifically taught to “give to caesar the things that are caesar’s, and give to God the things that are God’s”

And while Jesus did say he was a king, he was not implying that he was there to dethrone caesar.

Rather his kingdom was not from this world as he says in John 18:36.

A Spiritual Kingship with All Authority

Now, many take this to mean that Jesus kingdom is spiritual, and has nothing to do with the kingdoms of this earth.

But that is not how Christ’s authority from his throne in heaven is described in the scriptures.

In Revelation 1:5, John calls Jesus the “Ruler of the kings of the earth”.

In 1 Timothy 6:15 Paul calls Jesus, “the King of kings and Lord of lords,”

And Jesus begins his great commission in Matthew 28:18-20 by declaring that he had been given all authority in heaven and on earth.

Jesus kingdom is a spiritual kingdom, but he is a king with all authority.

His kingdom was not from this world, but his rule includes this world.

Jesus never meant to dethrone caesar, but he has been enthroned above him.

In John 19:11 Jesus says to Pilate,

John 19:11 (ESV)

“You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above.”

Even the man who delivered Jesus over to be crucified, was placed in his position of authority by God.

And Romans 13:1–2, tells us:

Romans 13:1–2 (ESV)

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

Submission to Authorities

God in his sovereignty establishes the thrones of emperors, the crowns of kings, and the rule of governors.

And Christ rules over them all.

Christians are to be subject to ruling authorities because God has established them, and Christ rules over them.

God has established the civil government as an institution to punish evil and to praise those who are good.

We looked at this in detail back when we went through Romans 13 earlier this year.

I’d encourage you to have a listen to that message if you haven’t already.

But God instructs his people to submit to the authorities, the institutions, that he has put in place.

Now, there may come times when we cannot obey particular commands from certain authorities if we are to be faithful to Christ.

In those cases we must say what Peter and the Apostles told the Sanhedrin in Acts 5:29 “We must obey God rather than men.”

But our disposition towards those in authority must always be one of respect, deference, and honour.

Honour Everyone

Peter gives the reason in vv. 15 of our passage.

1 Peter 2:15 ESV

For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

Slander looks foolish when the goodness of those being slandered is so obvious.

When God’s people do good, when we show honour to whom honour is due,

slanderers are silenced, and God is glorified.

Peter goes on to say, in vv. 16-17.

1 Peter 2:16–17 ESV

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.

The wordplay in this passage is interesting.

Peter says, live as people who are free.

The word “freedom” had a strong meaning in a culture in which slavery was common.

He means here that we are to live as people who are not enslaved.

Then he says, “not using your freedom as a cover-up [or as an excuse] for evil.”

Just because we are free to do something doesn’t mean that it ought to be done.

We have been made free in Christ, not so that we can indulge in what is evil,

but so that we can choose to do what is right and good by the power of the Holy Spirit.

As Peter says here in v. 16, “living as servants [in greek that’s δοῦλοι, “slaves”] of God.

God has instituted all authorities that exist, and Christ rules over each and every one of them.

Christ did not dethrone Caesar, Christ was enthroned above him.

He has the name that is above every name.

We are not slaves to emperors, kings, or governors,

but we submit to them because we are servants of the one who is far higher in authority, who put them where they are.

He has made us free to do what is right:

to honour everyone, to love the brotherhood, to fear God, and to honour the emperor.

Slaves (vv. 18-20)

We are called to do what is right; to abstain from sin, to honour everyone, even when it is not fair.

Peter makes this point when he addresses slaves in vv. 18-20.

1 Peter 2:18–20 ESV

Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.

Slavery in the Ancient World

Now praise God we live in a time and place where slavery is looked on as a bad thing.

But in Peter’s day slavery was the reality for many people.

Often people ask why God’s word doesn’t forbid or expressly condemn slavery outright.

Theres a much longer, much more thorough answer that I could give, but we just don’t have time for it this morning.

What I can tell you is that slavery has existed in every human society throughout all of history.

And it was christian teaching on mankind’s inherent value as image bearers of God,

that ultimately led to slavery being outlawed in many parts of the world over the last couple hundred years.

The Christian worldview was the first worldview that has sought the freedom of the enslaved,

and the only worldview that consistently makes the case for the inherent value of every human life.

Even in our passage this morning, slaves are treated as people with agency, and not only that, as brothers in Christ.

Peter teaches in this passage that just as citizens are to submit to every human institution that God has put over them,

slaves and bondservants are to submit to their masters,

even to those masters who are unjust.

Instructions for Holy Slaves

Now as people who enjoy freedom from slavery as a protected right, it’s easy for us to be offended by this teaching.

Why wouldn’t he encourage the slaves to run away or revolt.

Well, for one thing that just wouldn’t be practical.

Slaves who ran away or rebelled against their masters faced horrible consequences if they were caught, which was very likely.

The real reason though is that Peter here is not teaching about the evils of slavery,

rather, he is instructing his brothers and sisters who are enslaved in how to live the Christian life in an unbelieving world.

This is practical instruction in how to live a Godly life as one who is enslaved.

And he instructs them to show respect, to show honour to their master, whether the master is deserving of it or not.

But I want you to pay close attention to the reason Peter gives in this passage.

If a normal Roman citizen were to explain why a slave should show honour to his master,

that Roman citizen would say that it is because the slave is the property of his master,

and the right ordering of Roman society requires the slave’s obedience.

But look at the reason Peter gives; he says in vv. 19-20

1 Peter 2:19–20 ESV

For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.

The reason the enslaved Christian is to show honour to his master, is not to keep the proper order of roman society,

and it’s not because they are their master’s property.

The reason, they are to show respect, show honour, it is to be gracious to their master.

Even though they are enslaved they are made in the image of God,

and because of that fact they have agency, their choices matter, and they are responsible for their choices.

But not only that, they have been set free from sin through faith in Jesus Christ,

and because of the grace that they have received from God,

they can choose to show grace even to a master who is undeserving of respect and honour.

Whether we are enslaved or free, if we are in Christ, we can show grace and honour to everyone, even those who are undeserving of it.

Christ’s Example (vv. 21-25)

Peter makes this very point in vv. 21-25.

1 Peter 2:21–25 ESV

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Jesus demonstrated grace, honour, and holiness as he went to the cross.

The most unjust thing to ever take place in the history of the world was the murder of the sinless son of God.

This is beyond any slavery, any corrupt government, any sort of mistreatment.

The most innocent, most holy being in existence, was betrayed, mocked, spit upon, beaten, scourged, and then nailed to a cross to die in agony.

And yet, he committed no sin.

When he was reviled, he did not revile in return.

When he suffered, he did not threaten.

(Isaiah 53:7) “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth;

like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”

Over the sound of mocking, as he hung on the cross,

rather than of call down the wrath of God as he had very right and authority to,

What did he pray instead?

“Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

The Cross

It wasn’t just the Roman soldiers or the Jewish leaders who put him on the cross,

but it was my sin that put him there,

it was your sin that put him there.

You want to talk about injustice?

How about the altogether holy,

altogether innocent,

and altogether righteous Son of God dying for what I’ve done -

for what you’ve done?

That is injustice, but because he chose it - that is grace.

As our passage says in vv. 24-25,

1 Peter 2:24–25 ESV

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Application

Theres a line in an old Reliant K song that says:

“The beauty of grace is that it makes life not fair.”

It’s not fair to have to show honour to emperors, kings and governors;

especially corrupt or wicked ones.

It’s not fair for an enslaved person to have to respect a master,

especially an unjust or abusive one.

But nothing is so unfair as the sinless Son of God, submitting himself,

to die for undeserving sinners, so that we might receive an eternity of pleasure and joy in him.

Grace is beautiful, and it’s beautiful because fairness has nothing to do with it.

You and I, if we are in Christ by faith are recipients of this grace.

And since we have received this grace, we are able to be gracious to others.

The two words in this passage that stood out the most to me in this passage,

were grace and honour.

As the People of the King of kings and Lord of lords, we Christians are free people.

But we submit to, respect, and show honour to those who are in authority over us,

not because they deserve it,

not because society demands it from us,

but in order to show grace.

We live in a time when the word honour is shown to almost no one.

What might it look like if the people of God prioritized showing honour to everyone in our manners, actions, and speech.

Even to people not deserving of it.

How weird, how different would that make us?

Conclusion

I don’t know about you, but when I look at the direction this culture is currently headed, I can’t help but feel as though I am a sojourner and an exile.

And I am, we are.

Though Christ is on the throne, many nations of the world, including our own have set themselves up in direct opposition to his rule.

Now we could sit here and complain about it.

We could get angry, letting our passions get the best of us and dishonouring those whom God has put in authority over us in our words and actions.

Or we can walk in confidence, knowing that God is sovereign,

and he has put is in this time and this place for a reason.

That we might live as a holy people,

Abstaining from the passions of the flesh,

and showing honour to everyone,

whether they are deserving of it or not.

I wonder: How might God bless his church, and grow his kingdom, if his people chose to live like that?