Freedom Involves Submission
Notes
Transcript
There is a story that many of you may be familiar with from the past. Yet, I want to repeat it, as it seems to prepare us for these verses that Peter sets forth.
The captain of the ship looked into the dark night and saw faint lights in the distance. Immediately he told his signalman to send a message" "Alter your course 10 degrees south." Promptly a return message was received: "Alter your course 10 degrees north."
The captain was angered; his command had been ignored. So he sent a second message: "Alter your course 10 degrees south--I am the captain!" Soon another message was received: "Alter your course 10 degrees north--I am seaman third class Jones." Immediately the captain sent a third message, knowing the fear it would evoke: "Alter your course 10 degrees south--I am a battleship." Then the reply came "Alter your course 10 degrees north--I am a lighthouse."
In the midst of our dark and foggy times, all sorts of voices are shouting orders into the night, telling us what to do, how to adjust our lives. Out of the darkness, one voice signals something quite opposite to the rest--something almost absurd. But the voice happens to be the Light of the World, and we ignore it at our our peril.
We may think we’re right and may even have the proper background to have things our way. However, there is a higher authority in Christ. We would be wise to let Him rule in our lives and not only submit to Him, but to others as well.
In Christ, we are free to submit.
As we look into these verses which Peter has written, we will discover that it is packed with imperatives which show clearly the need for Christians to submit to authority.
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
By Submitting, We Show God’s Sovereignty. - 2:13-14
By Submitting, We Show God’s Sovereignty. - 2:13-14
We understand that all authority is under the Lord. Yet, sometimes Christians find it difficult to submit themselves to any human authority. Yet, we must recognize that human authority and organizations are ordained by God for specific purposes. So, Peter reminds his readers that our first imperative or command is to submit ourselves to every human institution. The only time that we are given the idea that we don’t have to submit is when the authority calls upon us to do something which goes contrary to God’s commands.
The command submit yourselves is a military expression. It literally means to arrange in formation under the commander. There are those who might suggest that in an oppressive regime, we should rebel. Yet, listen to what speaks about this.
My son, fear the Lord and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change, For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?
In other words, God sets these people into the place of authority and if they do not do what is right, they have to answer to the Lord. Even in Jeremiah’s writings, we see that God very clearly instructed the Jewish people, while in captivity, to get along with everyone and do their very best to benefit the society in which they found themselves. After all, this earth is not our home. We are here to attempt to impact others with the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that they might be part of God’s eternal kingdom.
Even Paul had some very strong words about submitting to authority and the benefit that is had by doing so.
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
Some of you may be thinking that this all sounds somewhat pious and fairytale-like. After all, we live in a very troubled society in very difficult and confusing times. However, I remind you that Peter is writing this in the time of a very wicked and evil Roman Empire. That culture was famous for homosexuality, murder of babies, government corruption, children and women being abused and degraded, all kinds of immorality, extreme violence, etc. Neither Jesus nor any of the apostles ever suggested that it was acceptable or expected that believers would go against and defy the civil authority. Even though the individuals whom God placed into positions of authority may not even acknowledge God, the Christian is told to submit.
Though we might consider this to be a weak-willed person’s response, Peter makes it clear that we are to submit for the Lord’s sake. In other words, by submitting, we honor God. We are actually obeying God. When you consider this, you are also recognizing that you truly believe that God is sovereign over everything and everyone. I also believe this has a tremendous impact upon those outside the kingdom of God who are watching.
I believe that Christians need to evaluate and consider what we are pouring our energy and thought into as we find ourselves in a very troubled world, not unlike that of the early church. It seems that we too easily get our focus off of what God has called us to do and we’ve bought into the thinking that we need to actively attack and fight against the evil that is around us. Listen to what Paul says in an earlier letter.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
Fortresses are explained as speculations. The Greek word means ideologies. In other words, I believe efforts would be better spent fighting against ungodly ways of thinking or any thing which sets itself up against God’s truth. Basically, I don’t combat and defy people or institutions; I battle against ideas which try to destroy God’s truth. I do all that I can to proclaim Jesus Christ and Him crucified and raised from the dead and alive forevermore, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
But how far does this go? Why else should we submit to every human institution?
It helps to understand some of the purposes of civil authority, or what most refer to as the government. In the reading from earlier, it’s clear that God established this authority. It has several purposes in its existence. It is to hold back evil so it doesn’t go rampant. It reinforces good that is being done for the common good of everyone. When evil and wrong does happen, it is also designed to punish those who did the wrong. We know that corruption takes place with many in positions of power. However, when those in position of authority do wrong themselves, the Christian is still supposed to submit, leaving ultimate judgment to God. The bottom line is that every human institution is God ordained.
It is helpful to understand that Peter is talking about the institutions and the people who make the laws. He is not speaking to each individual law. In other words, it is possible to submit to the leaders and the organizations, yet still disobey laws that are contrary to God. An Old Testament example would be Daniel and his companions. They disobeyed the King’s dietary laws, yet were honoring to the king and the other authorities. In relation to the church, we recognize that those in governmental authority cannot tell us what to preach or how to do a business meeting. Yet they do have the right to tell us what we have to do for the safety of the people in the building codes, etc.
Even as Peter speaks of a king or of governors, we must remember that the emperor Nero was totally off his rocker. Historians all over the spectrum recognized him as a deranged tyrant. Even the lower governors, those charged with carrying out his orders, were full of their own corruption, though most were simply following orders. On the other hand, there is the rare occasion in which those in leadership offer the praise of those who do right.
By Submitting, We Can Silence. - 2:15-16
By Submitting, We Can Silence. - 2:15-16
Have you ever noticed that when you attempt to put someone in their place, that things seem to cascade in an unhealthy manner? As we read verse 15, it seem somewhat humorous as to the results of simply doing what honors God by submitting. We actually will cause them to respond in silence; or at least stutter and stammer. The Greek word for silence means to restrain, muzzle, or make speechless. You might say that they were dumbfounded.
The word ignorance refers not only to a lack of knowledge, but it describes a sense of hostility in rejection of what is truth. Peter describes in more detail, by using the word foolish, which means senseless and without reason. This is in reference to uninformed unbelievers who are accusing believers of that which is not true. Listen to what Paul shares in , as he speaks of submission and what foolish looked like.
Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.
By submitting, we are able to silence our accusers, allowing the Gospel message to be seen and heard. Otherwise, we find ourselves battling in the flesh, rather than in the Spirit. But that takes a very special attitude. It allows us to truly show that we are free men.
You see, that Jesus Christ made us free from anything to do with sin and Satan and society. However, the temptation is just as real today as it was in Peter’s time to use your freedom as a covering for evil. This is often seen as masking ourselves with supposed righteous indignation as we become bitter, angry, hostile, vengeful, etc. In fact, the word for evil means baseness. This describes someone who has stooped down to the world’s ways while pretending to be doing this for God. As bondslaves of God, we know who we are and recognize that we can represent Christ in a righteous manner, regardless of how the authorities might treat us.
I recognize that many have a very negative view of the term slave or bondslave. However, for the Christian, being bondslaves of God gives us complete freedom. We have the freedom in Christ to choose to do right instead of resorting to doing what is wrong.
By Submitting, We Show True Citizenship. - 2:17
By Submitting, We Show True Citizenship. - 2:17
This verse has been described by several theologians as Peter’s citizenship theology. In this short verse, the believer in Christ is given four simple commands that ought to happen as we freely submit for God’s glory. This verse reminds us that we should constantly keep on doing these things.
Honor all people. We know that every single person was created in God’s image. Thus, there ought to be honor and respect given to everyone, regardless of who they are. There is no such thing as a non-person. A baby that is being formed in the womb is not a blob, but a person created by God. Someone with a physical, mental, or emotional handicap is also due honor as they are created in God’s image. The most vile person you can think of should be shown honor by the Christian. Judgment and punishment are in God’s control, not yours and mine.
Love the brotherhood. Obviously, this includes sisters in Christ, as well. The world sees some of the greatest testimonials by the love we show each other because of Christ.
Fear God. I can put my complete confidence and trust in the Lord in any and all situations. I worship the Lord as the One and only True God. I know that He is in charge of everything and is not fretting about anything, so neither should I. And because God has told me in His Word to submit myself to those in authority over me, I will do so.
Honor the king. Regardless of who is the leader of the land, I am obligated before God and by God to show honor and respect to that person. This is to be done even if I don’t like this person or agree with them. This further explains the truth Jesus shared in in such a practical way.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Herod could incarcerate John the Baptist and finally behead him, but John was free while his captor was a slave although he was called King; Nero was the slave while Paul was God's free man shouting, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me," in a Roman prison. King James could imprison that humble tinker, John Bunyan, for preaching, on the streets of Bedford, a great spiritual emancipation; but Bunyan was free in a soul that reveled in spiritual visions and delights. Madame Guyon (Gwee-yawn) was imprisoned in the lonely Bastille but she sang:
"Stone walls do not a prison make
Nor iron bars a cage;
Minds innocent and quiet take
These for a hermitage;
When I am free within my heart
And in my soul am free
Angels alone that soar above
Enjoy such liberty."
This is the true freedom that lives under the compulsion of love. Brother, are you really free not only as a citizen of America but of that Heavenly Country? Or are you under the dominion of sin, compelled to give way to evil tempers and lusts—a servant of Romans 7th experience? If so move over into the 8th chapter and shout, "The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus bath made me free from the law of sin and death." —Gospel Herald.
It would seem to me that most Christians will recognize the need to submit to God. However, when it comes to this world, somehow many feel it unnecessary to submit to others. Sadly, I believe that this lessens our testimony to the world about the freedom that can be found in Jesus Christ. I am convinced that Christians ought to want with all of our beings to be a glowing example of a witness for Jesus Christ.
With
By Submitting, We Show God’s Sovereignty to those who think they are completely in Charge.
By Submitting, We Can Silence those individuals who refuse to acknowledge God’s sovereignty.
By Submitting, We Show True Citizenship is found in the kingdom of heaven.
In Christ, we are free to submit.