16 May, 1999
INTRODUCTION
We who call ourselves Christians and who are identified as such because of our relationship with Christ and who make up His church have a great responsibility. Though we are told in the Scriptures that our citizenship is in heaven, we are still citizens in this great land that we live and as such we have a great responsibility as citizens.
It is true that we live in a hostile world that is filled with all kinds of injustices. Things happen to people, even good law abiding citizens that sometimes seems unfair and not right. Sometimes it even seems like the government under which we live is not very kind and fair towards us.
Background
The same could be said of the Christians in the days that the Apostle Peter wrote to those he referred to as "the strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. These believers to whom Peter wrote his first letter were scattered all over the country because of a great persecution instigated by a tyrannical ruler name Nero. History tells us that Nero had allegedly set fire to the City of Rome because of his incredible lust to build. To build more, he had to destroy what already existed to make room.
The people of Rome, being devastated at this senseless destruction resented Nero so severely that he had to find a way to re-direct their hostility. The Christians were the likely scapegoat. The Christians were already hated because they were associated with the Jews and because they were seen as being hostile to Roman culture. So Nero spread the word that these Christians had started the fire and as a result, a vicious persecution broke out and spread through the whole Roman empire.
It was in this context that Peter would challenge the Christians there as the how they were to live as citizens in their land.
That same challenge is just as true for us today. Thought we are not as mistreated as they were and thought we are not being persecuted as they were, the same duties said should be evident in the lives of those believers should be evident in our lives today.
As strangers in a strange land - as pilgrims just a passing through, this is how we should live. This is what God expects of us, His people, who live in this land.
I. Be Submissive to the Every Authority Instituted Among Men - 2:13-15
The word Peter uses here is the same word Paul uses in Romans 13 when he writes about the same kind of submission. There and here in 1 Peter the word is a military term meaning "to arrange in military fashion under the commander." It means "to put one's self in an attitude of submission."
And who are these authorities instituted among men? Well the word "authorities" does not actually appear here in the original language but rather it is the words "human ordinance." The word human refers to that which proceeds from man. And the word ordinance or institution refers to all human institutions which man has set up with the object of maintaining the world that God created. Paul makes specific reference to the king, as being supreme and to governors who are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers and the praise of those who do good. In our context this would obviously include the state and local government, judges and the police. Those who serve and protect our communities are a human institution, ordained by God with the object of maintaining the world that God created.
But why? Why should we submit ourselves to some institution that has been established by man? Let me briefly give you five reasons from these verses.
1. It is Commanded in the Word of God - 2:13
The construction of this word is an imperative which means it is a command. It is not a suggestion but it is a command. And it is a command in the Word of God. If for no other reason, we should have this attitude because God's Word commands us to. So to have an attitude other than this in relation to those in authority over us is to disobey the Word of God.
2. It is Honoring to the Lord - 2:13
Peter tells us to have this attitude for the Lord's sake. The fact is that everything we do and every attitude we have as a Christian is a reflection on the One whom we represent in this world - the Lord Jesus Christ. We are His ambassadors and His representatives. And when we are disobedient, rebellious, unsubmissive, and uncooperative with those in authority over us, we dishonor His name. If you want to honor the Lord with your life, one very practical way to do that is to be submissive to those who are in authority over us - including and especially police officers who enforce the laws of this land. Keep in mind that they did not make the laws but they are sworn to enforce those laws. And even tough those laws were instituted by man, we should submit to them for the Lord's sake that we might not dishonor His name.
3. It Will Effect Our Circumstances of Life - 2:14
Peter speaks of those who are sent by the governors for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. He refers to a punishment that includes legal punishment.
Our attitude toward those in authority over us can have a bearing on our circumstances in life. Whether you are a Christian or not, if you defy the laws of the land, you will be held accountable for that defiance and this will effect your circumstances in life.
These men and women who serve to protect our communities are in a position to hold us accountable for breaking the law and it does not matter if we are a Christian or not.
It has nothing to do with personal prejudices but it has everything to do with them doing the job that has been entrusted to them. We owe it to them to be cooperative in our attitude whether we agree with them or not.
4. It is the Will of God - 2:15
Here again, if for no other reason, it is God's will that we be submissive to the governing authorities. The only exception to this is when and if that which the authorities expects of us is in definite contradiction to the will and Word of God. We should never compromise the truth by which we live whatever the cost. That means that if we find ourselves having to choose to obey God rather than man, we also have to be willing to suffer the consequences.
In the early days of the church, this same Peter who wrote these words, along with his colleague, John were faced with a similar decision. They had been told by the authorities not to speak at all in the name of Jesus. And Luke tells us in the Book of Acts 4:19-21 that...
Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. (Acts 4:19-21)
Keep in mind that Peter said these words after spending a night in jail for preaching the gospel. But he and John were faced with a choice but they were also ready to suffer the consequences of their choice.
But remember this - we had better make sure that we are not making that decision in the light of some criminal activity. Over in chapter 4 of this same letter, Peter makes a similar kind of statement. (see 1 Peter 4:14-16)
5. It Will Silence Those Who Stand Against - Us - 2:15
Peter refers to the ignorance of foolish men - those who are senseless in what they are prone to say about Christianity - those who are obstinately set against the faith and are looking for reasons to criticize believers.
By having this kind of submissive and cooperative attitude toward those in authority over us, Peter says we can silence them - we can put them to silence or muzzle them, if you will.
It's like Peter is saying, "Listen folks, they have already falsely accused us of catching the city of Rome on fire - let's not give them any more reason to accuse us by our attitude toward the authorities."
There are so many in this world who are looking for a reason to criticize those Christians. They are looking for something to hold against us. And there are already so many who call themselves Christians and ministers of the gospel who have cast a shadow on the Christian community. Let's not make it worse by the attitude we have towards those in authority over us.
And let me say this - the law enforcement community is being constantly criticized and scrutinized by society today.
There are so many who are just looking for a reason to jump up on their soap boxes and cast judgment on all law enforcement officers. Lets be careful how we jump up on the box with them. We may not always agree with an action that is taken by a local police agency. But we need to be very careful how we express and verbalize that disagreement. Keep that in mind the next time you are tempted to write a letter to the editor and express your opinion. Let's not give the world or any one else a reason to say that we are no different than anybody else. We should be setting an example of the kind of citizens God expects us to be.
Jesus had every reason to criticize and find fault with the authorities in His day when they arrested Him and eventually executed Him. We look at that scene and how He was treated and we say, "It's just not fair." And when they came to arrest when He was there in the Garden, He could have said the same thing. The ACLU would have had a field day with those who led Jesus to the cross. Even though they did not take His life in the way they thought they were, Jesus stands as the perfect example of someone who was submissive to the governing authorities even though He had every right not to. Let's be like Jesus. Let's do what Jesus did. Let's be different. Let's maintain such a walk with Christ that no one will have any charge against us except that of being a people of strong faith in Christ.
II. Be Careful How You Exercise Your Freedom - 2:16
The Bible makes it clear that the believer is free - free from the guilt of sin and condemnation of the law. The truth has certainly set us free. But we need to understand what that means and be careful how we use it. Peter helps us see that here by saying first of all that,
1. Christian Freedom is Not a License to Live Like You Want
Being free in Christ does not mean that we are free from obedience to God's law or free from the laws of this land. Christian freedom does not mean that we are no longer accountable to anyone but God.
2. Christian Freedom Calls for Responsible Behavior
Peter reminds us that we are servants or bond-slaves of God and that means that we are to live as such. What kind of true servant would be irresponsible? What kind of genuine servant would just do what he wants to do regardless of what his master thinks about it?
One commentator by the name of Matthew Poole points out that though we are free from sin we are not free from duty and thus we should never excuse ourselves from obedience to our superiors by a pretense of Christian liberty.
III. Be Examples to the World of Genuine Christianity - 2:17
When you read this verse you need to understand that all of these short phrases are imperatives which implies a command. You also have to agree that all of them flies in the face of the general attitude of the world.
The implication is that if we want to be examples to the world of genuine Christianity, this is how we should be.
1. Honor All People
The idea of this word is "highly esteem and it refers to not just an obedient duty but an inner respect." This is not an easy task when there are so many people who are so undeserving of this kind of respect. This does not mean you have to agree with someone or condone someone's actions but you can disagree and disapprove with an attitude of genuine respect.
So the next time you are pulled over for a traffic violation and you are given that citation that you do not think you deserve, make sure you have respect for the one who is making your day.
The next time you talk to someone at work who is telling you about something he or she did that goes against everything you believe, exercise a little respect.
Do we honor just those think deserve it or ALL people?
2. Love the Brotherhood
The Apostle John recorded Jesus saying these words in John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Do you want to have an impact on this community? Do you want this community to know that we are who we say we are? Then genuinely, love the brotherhood - and your neighbor as well.
3. Fear God
Obviously Peter is not talking about being terrified of God but he is referring to an awe and reverence. It is the simple fact that we will never reverence men until we reverence God. It is only when God is given His proper place in the center that all other things take their place.
4. Honor the King
The same kind of respect we have to all people we have toward the supreme commander. Keep in mind that Peter wrote these words in the context of severe persecution under a ruthless king Nero. And yet, he told those believers to honor or respect that man who was causing them so much grief.
We all have our opinions about those in authority over us - the president, the governor, the mayor or township supervisors, the police officers who patrol our streets. It does not matter what your opinion of them is but it matter how you express your opinion. Whether you and I like it or not, we owe to them, for the Lord's sake, to respect them.
Conclusion: Eugene Peterson, in his paraphrase of the New Testament brings these words of Peter right down to where we are. Listen to his rendering of this passage:
Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God's emissaries for keeoing order. It is God's will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you're a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government. ( 1 Peter 2:13-17- The Message)
Let's endeavor to be an example to this world as to how a citizen of this land should really live: