Word@Work 1Pet25 - 1 Peter 2:13-14
Published: Fri, 05/29/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
SANCTIFIED SUBMISSION
1 Peter 2:13-14 Submit yourselves, for the Lord's sake, to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. (NIV)
How do you know if you are submitting to God? We can fool ourselves into holy thinking without practicing holy living. 'Submission' does not find many supporters among mobile and successful adults. But it is God's way to teach us that we are not God, we do not know everything and we are not almighty. If married couples will not submit to each other, there is war at home. If students do not submit to teachers, there is anarchy in the campus; and if people refuse to submit to their community leaders and national governments, there is civil war.
God's instruction to submit to those who are over us at work or in the community (who we can see), is also a test of how we submit to God (who is invisible). Although leaders are chosen by humans, that appointment has God's authority. It is no defence to say that we have not respected human authority because it is sinful. It is God who has chosen some sinners to be leaders - and other sinners to be subject to them. It may be hard if the leaders ignore God's instructions, in the same way it is difficult when employers are harsh; but our failure to submit to their authority betrays our proud lack of respect for God who allowed their appointment.
This will not always be fair, and we may suffer hardship or even cruelty. But our appeal needs to be to God, and not to rise up against our boss or president. Many issues of human rights may be considered, along with the responsibility to defend the oppressed; but we must not take the law into our own hands if God has not placed it there. We do have a right to entreat a leader or employer respectfully, but not to rebel. But we have also been given the privileged right to pray to God who is over all. Jesus said, "And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?" (Luke 18:7). He can be trusted to do what is right (cf Gen 18:25).
Prayer: Sovereign Lord. Although earthly authority will fall short of Your standards, thank you for the structures of our society, and for not abandoning us to the hellish chaos of everybody's selfishness. Help me to honour those you have allowed to be over me, to obey then as best I can, and to pray for them that they will accept Your help to fulfil their responsibilities. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
How do you know if you are submitting to God? We can fool ourselves into holy thinking without practicing holy living. 'Submission' does not find many supporters among mobile and successful adults. But it is God's way to teach us that we are not God, we do not know everything and we are not almighty. If married couples will not submit to each other, there is war at home. If students do not submit to teachers, there is anarchy in the campus; and if people refuse to submit to their community leaders and national governments, there is civil war.
God's instruction to submit to those who are over us at work or in the community (who we can see), is also a test of how we submit to God (who is invisible). Although leaders are chosen by humans, that appointment has God's authority. It is no defence to say that we have not respected human authority because it is sinful. It is God who has chosen some sinners to be leaders - and other sinners to be subject to them. It may be hard if the leaders ignore God's instructions, in the same way it is difficult when employers are harsh; but our failure to submit to their authority betrays our proud lack of respect for God who allowed their appointment.
This will not always be fair, and we may suffer hardship or even cruelty. But our appeal needs to be to God, and not to rise up against our boss or president. Many issues of human rights may be considered, along with the responsibility to defend the oppressed; but we must not take the law into our own hands if God has not placed it there. We do have a right to entreat a leader or employer respectfully, but not to rebel. But we have also been given the privileged right to pray to God who is over all. Jesus said, "And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?" (Luke 18:7). He can be trusted to do what is right (cf Gen 18:25).
Prayer: Sovereign Lord. Although earthly authority will fall short of Your standards, thank you for the structures of our society, and for not abandoning us to the hellish chaos of everybody's selfishness. Help me to honour those you have allowed to be over me, to obey then as best I can, and to pray for them that they will accept Your help to fulfil their responsibilities. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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