29. Submission to Authority

Submission to Authority

A few weeks ago we looked at Peter’s Christian manifesto. We saw that it was the beginning of a new instructional unit emphasizing the Christian’s Conduct. There were three points 1) The Christians Motive – the love of God, 2) the Christian’s mindset – we are aliens and strangers in a foreign land, 3) the Christian manifested in two ways, internal preparation and external application. 1Pet 2:11,12 act as a thesis statement which will be fleshed out by Peter until 1Peter 4:11.

As a thesis statement Peter, in the use of Beloved, points us back at the riches of the glory of our salvation in Christ and every blessing that comes with it. As has been said before every redemptive act in the Bible is followed by obligation of obedience to the commands of God. This is no different. Make no mistake, this next section of Scripture is where the metal meets the meat. It is in the application of Scripture where we struggle most. It is easy to give a mental nod in agreement to the Scripture. It is something altogether different to move from the realm of theoretical to practical. Ask anyone in construction when they receive a set of plans from an architect who has no experience in actual construction or the fabricator looking at engineers plans. As we move through this section of Scripture, we must never lose sight of the overall context of the following verses in relation to the whole. If indeed you are in Christ, you are the beloved of God, purchased with blood and sealed in the Holy Spirit of promise. Ambassadors for Christ, and as such, we conduct ourselves as aliens and strangers in a foreign land.

1Pe 2:13-17  Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme,  (14)  or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.  (15)  For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—  (16)  as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.  (17)  Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

The NKJV translate the Greek word as ordinance but from the context of the verse it refers to institution or government official.

4 Pts

1.The Foundation of Submission -Therefore

2.The command of submission.

3.The purpose of submission.

4.The freedom in submission.

I. The Foundation of Christian Submission – Therefore

We believe that the Scripture is God-breathed. Every word is given in the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 2Ti 3:16  “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,”. As a result it means that all the words matter. Every if, and, but, for, therefore teaches us something about the passage we are reading and considering. If, most of the time is conditional, and, shows a continuation of thought or point, for tells us that the reason for the previous statement is coming. His word ‘therefore’ tells us that whatever the writer is about to say has its foundation in the preceding verses. When we see therefore, we have to ask why is it there for.

Peter is calling us back to the foundation of Christian submission and it is found in the work of the Triune God in our salvation. God’s love for His people moved Him to provide atonement for their sins, redemption, salvation, and adoption. So that we who, by the grace of God alone, believe that Christ died for our sins, was dead buried, and raised on the third day, are brought into the household of God. We are by right of adoption His children and have, as a result, all the blessings and benefits, associated with that. We not only have the blessings but are now morally obligated to reflect the character of Him to whom we belong. ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.” In this we look to Jesus Php 2:6-8  who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,  (7)  but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  (8)  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Eph 4:1  I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,

Was is the basis of Paul’s appeal to walk worthy of our calling? The basis is the first 3 chapters of Ephesians, of our union and communion with Him.

In what Christ Jesus has done, the magnificent display of God’s love for you, the Spirit having applied it is even now working in and sanctifying the people of God. What the Triune God has done for us in salvation, our union and communion with Him is the basis and foundation on which we are to obey every command given by Him.

II. The Command to submit to every human ordinance. V 13,14

As a reminder Peter is addressing the offices held by men, whether Kings and those appointed by him, or in our circumstances those elected to office to govern.

Submission defined – used 43x tin the NT. The Greek word for submission was a military term meaning to draw up in order of battle, to form, array, marshal, both troops or ships. It meant that troop divisions were to be arranged in a military fashion under the command of the leader. In this state of subordination, they were now subject to the orders of their commander. Thus, it speaks of the submission of one individual under or to another. It was also used to describe the arrangement of military implements on a battlefield in order that one might carry out effective warfare! In non-military use, it is described a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, or carrying a burden. And we are not only children of God, not only ambassadors in His name, but we are soldiers. 2Ti 2:4  No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

It is not the idea of submission that we think of where it is forced. This isn’t Mixed Martial Arts where the loser submits because they are pinned or knocked unconscious. That is somewhat of the idea most people have. It’s because of this erroneous view that many women bristle when they are told to submit to their husbands because society has told them submission is weakness. Jesus submitted to the will of His Father, would we call Him weak?

Why? Besides the obvious stated command, 1. submission is necessary for order. We see this in the Triune Godhead. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all equally God, but the Son submits willingly to the Father, and the Spirit willingly submits to the Father and Son. We see all things placed in subjection to Christ in Eph 1:22,23. Gen 1:16  And God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night; He made the stars also. We see that we all life in submission to the sun and moon. It governs when we work and when we sleep. In creation when God created Man in His image He created them male and female, equal in the eyes of God, but in the economy of God He calls the woman to live in submission to her husband as husbands are to submit to Christ. Children are to live in submission to their parents. In the church there are elders that we are to submit Heb13:17 Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. Why is it important? Because without it there is no order.

1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

2. All civil authority is established by God. Rom 13:1-2  Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

We also see in these verses the primary function of government is to punish the wicked and the praise of those who do good. Does that mean when a government does not do those things that it is not legitimate, and we do not have to submit? It does not mean that at all. General submission to the government is not something we choose to opt out of.

Tit 3:1-2  Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,  (2)  to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

We are to respect the office regardless of whether he or she who holds it is worthy of the office. When King Saul sought Davis’s life there are at least two occasions David could have taken his oppressor’s life, but he did not. 1Sa 24:6  And he said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the LORD's anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD." HE showed restraint even though he, David was already anointed as king.

Biblical submission is not a buffet option of items that we pick and choice which we submit to and which we not. It is a constant placing of ourselves in a subordinate position. Submitting to elders is not conditional on our liking them personally. Submitting to authority is not conditional on whether it lines up with our political affiliation.

Lack of submission means the degradation of society. Lawlessness increases, marriages fail, children rebel, and eventually anarchy reigns. Have we not seen this last year, where government failed to punish the wicked, lawlessness and anarchy reigned.

Peter adds the phrase for the Lord’s sake. He also mentions, love the brotherhood. This is in reference to our testimony in the world. Not giving cause for non-Christians to blaspheme the name of God based on something you have done. Do we have a good reputation as those who pay taxes and bills on time? Now I am all about using legal means to reduce the amount we pay in taxes but we should never falsify information. In our system of government, it is not just federal institutions but there are also state and local. And when we especially think about local officials it is hard to suppress an eye roll. When we think about some of the local ordinances, we must bite our lip. But what does this passage teach us?

Exceptions? Yes. When authorities issue a command that violates God’s law. Here are two examples. In Acts we see an illustration of the "exception to the rule" -- Peter and the apostles are confronted by the Jewish leaders who declared “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us". To this Peter and the apostles replied “We must obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:28, 29)

Daniel 3+ records a well-known example of an exception of the command to obey governing authorities. King Nebuchadnezzar's decree was "at the moment you hear the sound … you are to fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up" (Da 3:5+) and "whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire." (Da 3:6)

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, choose to obey their God rather than the king, declaring "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. "But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." (Da 3:16, 17, 18+)

So the rule is submit yourselves to the governing authorities except when the command is to break the law of God. This doesn’t sit well with many people in our country today because of the abuses of government left and right. But consider the context of government that Peter was writing this letter in. The age of Nero. The Roman emperor who had Christians tied up in animal skins and torn to pieces by dogs, who also illuminated his garden by burning Christians on the stake. However much it chaffs us to live under an ungodly government, it pales in comparison to what the early church lived under or what our brothers and sisters in Christ are living under in the Middle East and China.

III. The Purpose of submission to every human institution. V15

Silence the ignorance of foolish men. The word Peter uses for ignorance is not the common word for ignorance. This word indicates an intellectual inadequacy to perceive the true nature of the Christian faith and life. It implies a sense of the disobedient closing of the mind to the revealed word of God. Rom 10:3  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. Remember the false accusations that were leveled against these early Christians. It was not only the Christians in this area. Paul tells Titus the same thing in Tit 2:7-8  in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified,  (8)  sound in speech which is beyond reproach, in order that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. Remember the false accusations that are leveled against Christians today. What is the best argument against such accusations? It is not to enter into a theological debate. It is not to claim victimhood, it is not resorting to violence, but the best defense of the faith is our good deeds. IN a very real sense what we do as individual Christians, and as a church as a whole can have an affect on the brotherhood across our nation and the world. Does the world look for excuses to blame Christians for anything? For everything? It absolutely does.

Tell me, what is the testimony of our life? Do our actions shut up the accusations or do they re-enforce them?

“to silence the ignorance of foolish men” This word silence is a vigorous word that literally means to muzzle, as in do not muzzle the ox while it is on the threshing floor. It means to shut them up. Jesus uses this word to command the seas to be still in Mark 4:39.

It is not just to silence false accusation but it, in a positive sense is a means of communicating the gospel. Remember in verse 12. 1Pe 2:12  having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. This can be in reference to judgement or salvation. Our desire is to see the lost brought to faith in Christ.

Eph 2:10  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Do you want to be a Christian apologist, do you want to be a defender of the faith? Then live godly by doing that which is right.

Something that should grab your attention is ‘For such is the will of God’. Christians are constantly wondering about what the will of God is in their life. This is one of the few places that God’s will is stated with the word’s God’s will. God’s will for you is to do that which is right in His sight. Just as it is by being transformed by the renewing of our mind we prove what the will of God is, that which is good, acceptable, and perfect. Rom 12:2. This is God’s will that in everything you give thanks 1Thess 5:18. 1Th 4:3  For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality;

Application: We have only gotten through 3 of the 4 points but from here we can still have application.

How do we show honor to government leaders? We pray for them. 1Ti 2:1-2  Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,  (2)  for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

How do we address politics? How do we deal with a politician, good or bad, our political party or not? We do not diminish or attack the person’s looks or perceived intellect. We do not speak ill of them in that regard. We can and should take our stand on godless positions they may hold and not make excuses for those of our own personal political party. John the Baptist confronted Herod over marrying his brother’s wife.

How do we address our current situation with Covid? When there is so much contradictory information and often coming from the same source. We obey ordinances where we can. If the ordinance says we must where a mask, it may infringe upon our personal sensibilities, but it does not infringe upon our faith. If it is suggested or preferred, then it is up to your conscience. What about vaccines? What if they are mandated? There are exceptions to obedience to every government order. Some are more easily discerned when that is the right path than others. Because this issue has become so politicized it is not easy to take anyone’s word. Everyone appears to have an agenda. We know some people have are more vulnerable to the virus than others. We know there are some people suffer side effects to the vaccine. The extent of those side effects of the vaccine vaccines are not fully known. But this is the principle we follow. Our primary duty is not to the state but to our God. As parents we are bound by God ourselves, one another, and our children to protect our family or future family. If we have those in our family that are particularly vulnerable to virus that is something else to consider. Regardless where we are in life weigh carefully the decision to take the vaccine or not. It is not sin if you get it and it is not sin if you don’t. There are strong feelings on either side of the issue. Be fully convinced of what is best for you and your family and do not judge the brother or sister who has chosen differently than you. But understand to if the vaccine is mandated that there may be consequences in not getting vaccinated. Talk has been thrown out about vaccine passports to travel, enter stores, etc. Will it get that bad? I don’t know but we should be prepared to face the consequences of our civil disobedience without grumbling and complaining. And judge ourselves rightly whether we are doing so as a result of our conviction before God or simply pride.

The issue is not us, it is the glory of God and being salt and light in a dark world. May God help us and keep us in His way and grant to His people wisdom and discernment. Consider Jesus before the Pharisees and Pilate.

1Pe 2:21-25  For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:  (22)  "WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH";  (23)  who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;  (24)  who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.  (25)  For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.