Submit To Authorities

Submit for the Lord’s Sake

One of the reasons we must submit to the governing authorities is because God says to. This had to be difficult for Peter, because Nero was the emperor at the time. He was anti Christian. He burned Rome down and blamed the Christians. Yet Peter tells us to submit to governing authorities. This may not make sense until we understand the why.

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. Romans 13:1-2

God is the one that puts people in positions of authority. He uses good and bad governing bodies to accomplish His will. Contrary to popular belief Governing authorities are meant to serve God’s purposes not our opinions. If the governing authorities were to serve the public opinion, then they couldn’t serve the purpose of God.

Let me give you an example: I do not necessarily agree with all the “stay safer at home order”. Especially what they consider “essential”. This is my opinion! I was so set on my opinion that I was going to defy the order and get a haircut on Friday. I didn’t think it was right for them to shut down small businesses that can do their job safely. As you can see I changed my mind. It was because God’s Word says that I should not rebel against the governing authorities. I didn’t want to bring judgement on myself for a haircut. I believe the judgement would have been $500 or 30 days in jail. Though this would have been bad what would be worse is that I defied an order that God’s governing authority.

The only time we are to defy the governing authorities is when they force us to engage in what God commands us not to to do or prohibit us from doing what God commands us to do.

We see this in the book of Acts.

. 17 But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name.” 18 And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all [n]in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; 20 for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:17-20

Jesus told his disciples to go share the gospel. The governing authorities told them to stop. They told them that they would obey God. This is the line where we as Christians must draw the line. Any other order we are to comply with.

This is why we are conducting worship the way we are today. We are not prohibited from worshiping or sharing our faith. We are just prohibited from gathering together in a building for safety reasons.

Submitting to Authorities Silence Ignorance of Foolish Men.

Living by the rules of governing authorities is a sign of integrity.

1 Peter: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Reason for Submission

Integrity, impeccable moral fiber, and purity of life are all effective character tools to muzzle the enemies of Christianity. Paul commanded Titus to tell this to the new believers on Crete:

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. (Titus 3:1–3)

Such virtuous conduct and good citizenship is especially necessary for church leaders. One of the qualifications to be an elder is that the man “must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil” (1 Tim. 3:7; cf. Titus 1:6). That kind of unimpeachable testimony, even before those who reject the gospel, silences enemies and enables the saving power of Christ to be manifest.

Let me make it simple for you. Would you want someone as your pastor that was a lifelong criminal. Of course not, because they have not lived a life by the law. Would you hire someone that ignored the law and did whatever they wanted to do based on their opinion? Of course not! You want to hire someone you can trust.

A person that lives a law abiding life is typically a person of integrity.

By being a bondslave to the Lord, you submit to the authorities that He has put in place.

Honor All People, Love the Brotherhood, Fear God, Honor the King.

Peter reminds us to honor all people. We never have the right to disrespect anyone. We must respect them even if they have a different viewpoint than us. Even if they disrespect us, we are to respect them.

Love the brotherhood by supporting them and helping them. Fellow Christians are to live in harmony with one another. We are to have deep affection for one another.

Fear God. This is the beginning of wisdom. To acknowledge that God is the highest authority and controls all things is why we should fear God. Fear of God promotes healthy choices. We should not fear God because He will punish us for doing evil. We should fear God because His promises of decisions we make will come to fruition.

Honor the king. God places the kings where He wants them. You may not like the president or his policies, but you are to respect him and pray for him.