Read I Peter 2:13-25
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men.” (v13a)
Some Thoughts…
I’ve always read this section of scripture and interpreted it as a directive on Christian duty (civic, occupational, and domestic), but as I’ve taken time with it here in the context of Peter’s letter I discover so much more than “duty” – I find God’s call to “the good life” lived out in front of non-believers in such a way that they are forced to reckon with the God I serve and have been saved by and changed internally and externally. It is God’s will that I live this good life! (v 15), and when I embrace meekness this way I find power to live in complete liberty and freedom (V16). To give an overview of this section I used Chuck Swindoll’s outline of this passage:
1) The Command (v13-14) – God expects me to submit to all authority (corrupt or honorable) as I seek to be a resident alien living and abiding by the laws and social standards of this word’s culture…not for me, not even for social stability, but for the Lord’s sake – not a duty as much as it is an act of faith and trust in God in bringing about justice on His time table (see Psalm 33:10 ff).
2) The Reason (v15) – God wants to silence the sounds of foolish folk who are quick to accuse people of faith falsely…we don’t need to give anyone more reasons to hate us…to misunderstand us – It is God’s will that our lives point to His grace…and when they do pursue us they will be at fault, not us because we pushed where God never told us to. (see v 20).
3) The Principle (v 16-17) – We are free! This is amazing! I’m not in bondage to any rank of man…yet freedom has a high price – self-sacrifice —willingness to put off selfish desires for the good of others – Honor, respect, holy fear…and love; That is our call and calling card.
4) A hard Example (v 15-20) – Slavery – The most unjust of all social injustices…and Peter refuses to see these people the way their culture did – 60 million strong they were people not property! And as God would have it in the mystery of His sovereignty, they were in a less than desirable position…and God calls them to submit out of love for God and faith in their true position as freed men…and as time has moved on, slavery still exists and God still hates it…when will we learn!
5) The perfect Example (v21-25) – Jesus – He relates to the slave – that is the form He took; a servant, and He submitted to the puppet powers of His day even though He possessed all power to end life as we know it – He submitted for our sake and salvation for His sake – He trusted the One who will judge injustice (v23b). He took my sin… He took our sin…He showed us how to live!
A Prayer…
Jesus, may I live today serving and submitting to those around me for your sake as you set me free to live fully alive until you return to set things right. Amen.