1 Peter 2:13-17

• Theme: Submission to Authority for the Lord’s Sake

  • Christians are called to submit to human authorities as an act of obedience and trust in God's sovereignty.

  • Submission is not blind allegiance to earthly rulers but reflects a greater submission to God.

• Key Command:

  • "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake" (v. 13).

  • Submission applies to both kings and governors, highlighting the broader principle of respecting all human authority.

• Purpose of Authority:

  • Civil authorities are established by God to punish evildoers and praise those who do good (v. 14).

  • Our obedience silences critics of the faith by demonstrating good works (v. 15).

• Christian Freedom:

  • Freedom in Christ is not an excuse for lawlessness but a call to live as bondservants of God (v. 16).

  • True liberty is found in submission to God’s will, which includes honoring human institutions.

• Four Pillars of Christian Conduct (v. 17):

  1. Honor All People – Respect every person as an image-bearer of God.

  2. Love the Brotherhood – Deeply care for fellow believers.

  3. Fear God – Live with reverence and awe of God’s majesty.

  4. Honor the King – Respect and pray for civil leaders, even when disagreeing with them.

• Limits of Submission:

  • When civil authorities demand disobedience to God, Christians must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).

  • Biblical examples include Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and the apostles.

• Gospel Connection:

  • Jesus exemplified submission, even to unjust authorities, culminating in His death on the cross.

  • His obedience secured salvation and modeled trust in God's ultimate plan.

Submitting to Authority (1 Peter 2:13-17)

Introduction

• Main Idea: Submission to human authority is a testimony of our trust in God.

• Goal: To understand how submission to authority glorifies God and aligns with His will.

Study Outline

1. Biblical Context of Submission

• 1 Peter 2:13-14: Submission as obedience to God.

  • What does “for the Lord’s sake” mean?

  • Compare with Romans 13:1-7—God establishes all authorities.

2. Purpose of Government

• Punish Evil, Reward Good (v. 14):

  • How does this reflect God’s justice?

  • Discuss when governments fulfill or fail in this role.

3. The Christian’s Freedom

• Verse 16: Freedom in Christ does not equate to lawlessness.

  • How should we balance liberty in Christ with submission to authority?

  • See Galatians 5:13 for further discussion on Christian freedom.

4. Christian Conduct

• Verse 17: Four pillars of conduct.

  • How do these principles shape our daily interactions?

  • Discuss practical ways to honor others and pray for leaders.

5. Limits of Submission

• Acts 5:29: Obeying God over men when commands conflict.

  • Explore biblical examples of civil disobedience:

    • Daniel in the lion’s den (Daniel 6).

    • Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3).

    • The apostles preaching despite opposition (Acts 4-5).

Westminster Standards on Submission

• Westminster Larger Catechism:

  • Q. 127: Duties of superiors, including magistrates, toward inferiors.

  • Q. 128-130: Duties of inferiors toward superiors, emphasizing honor and obedience.

• Westminster Shorter Catechism:

  • Q. 64-66: Explains the Fifth Commandment’s requirement to honor those in authority.

• Confession of Faith, Chapter 23:

  • Civil magistrates are ordained by God for His glory and the public good.

Application Questions

1. How does your attitude toward authority reflect your faith in God’s sovereignty?

2. What practical steps can you take to honor others, including those in positions of power?

3. Are there areas in your life where submission to authority is especially challenging? How can prayer and Scripture guide you?

4. How can you use your freedom in Christ to serve others and glorify God?

Prayer Focus

• Pray for humility to submit to God-ordained authorities.

• Ask for courage and wisdom when facing unjust laws or rulers.

• Thank God for the ultimate example of submission in Christ.

Introduction

Will you please turn in your Bibles with me to 1 Peter chapter 2. 1 Peter chapter 2, we'll be looking this morning at verses 13 through 17. There was something that happened when I was at our former church at Eastvale, and I first started to preach. My pastor, Micah, at that time said, "You know the old ladies who don't hear very well?" And I said, uh-huh. He said, notice where they all sit. And they all sat in the last two rows of the church. And they didn't have a PA system. And he said, Brian preached to the old ladies in the back of the church. So, I'm going to try to speak up this morning. I hope you don't feel like I'm yelling at you. But let's go ahead and turn in our Bibles to 1 Peter chapter 2. Verses 13-17, you'll find that on page 1077 of your Pew Bibles. Hear now God's perfect Word.

The Command to Submit

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. As free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God, honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King.

Let's pray. Lord, You are the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. You are our Sovereign, our Master, our Maker. And Father, we pray now that as we come to Your Word, that Your Holy Spirit would work in our hearts in such a way that it would become alive unto our souls. Lord, we pray that You would please turn our hearts from sin, and let us rejoice in who You are. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

We come to the passage today, and it is a topic that we as Americans do not like. I mean, if you're going to be in good public society, what are the two things you don't talk about? Religion and politics. And here, God said, we're going to talk about both of them in one swoop, one time. And just as an encouragement, this afternoon in Chalk and Talk, we're going to be talking a lot about politics and the church. But see, this is especially difficult for us because it's not just that it's one of these things where we get squirmish talking about politics, but there's also a very clear command. This whole paragraph is held together by the very first three words. Therefore, submit yourselves. Submit yourselves. It means being obedient. And we're Americans. We light off fireworks, we have barbecues, we celebrate every year that we do not submit to authority. No, we told those tyrants where to go. And yet, in verse 13, which is the key, everything else hinges on this paragraph to those three words, therefore submit yourselves. This is a command from God.

The Role of Civil Authority

And many people struggle. Many people struggle with what does it look like to submit ourselves to authority. Again, I mean, I was raised in a culture where this is a free country. I could do whatever I want. And the Lord says, not so fast. You're free, but not in a certain way. And so as we get into this passage, I do want to tell you that this is going to be a difficult passage for us. Many of you may struggle with it. And I also want to say that I know a number of you have also been under those who have had authority, and they have used their authority for abuse and tyranny, and not for your good, not for the punishment of evil or the praising of good, but for their own wicked ends, and that is evil and wrong, and that's not what is going on in this passage. And we're going to talk about that. But as we just sang in Psalm 2, all ruling authorities must bow their knee to Jesus Christ.

The Explicit Command to Submit

And so what is this idea of submission and how does this work out in our Christian lives, especially here in America? Well, first I want you to look at the explicit command to submit. Look with me at verses 13 and 14. Therefore, submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of those who do good. Make no doubt about it, Peter commands, y'all submit. Y'all submit, obey, listen to, they make a law, you follow the law, they give orders, you keep the orders. That's a very clear statement that he says in verse 13.

The Reason for Submission

And notice after what he says, "submit yourselves to whom?" To every ordinance of man. This isn't just about submitting to one type of authority or another; it's about submitting to all human institutions established for governance. But why? Peter gives us a reason: "for the Lord's sake." This submission isn't because these authorities are inherently divine or perfect but because our submission reflects our obedience to God. It's an act of worship, a way to honor God through our actions in the secular world.

The Purpose of Civil Authority

Peter then explains the purpose of these authorities: "for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good." Here, we see a dual role of government - to maintain justice by punishing wrongdoers and to encourage and commend those who do good. This reflects a divine order where authority is meant to foster a society that aligns with God's moral standards.

The Will of God in Submission

Verse 15 provides a deeper insight into why Christians should submit: "For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men." Our submission and good conduct are meant to be a testimony. By living righteously under authority, we demonstrate the transformative power of the Gospel, potentially leading others to question their own ignorance or prejudice against Christianity.

Freedom Within Submission

Peter then addresses a common misunderstanding about Christian freedom: "As free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God." Here, he clarifies that our freedom in Christ does not give us license to sin or disregard lawful authority. Instead, our freedom is to be used in service to God, which includes respecting and submitting to civil authorities.

Practical Applications of Submission

The passage concludes with practical instructions: "Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king." These commands encapsulate how our submission should look in daily life. We are to show respect to everyone, have a special love for fellow believers, maintain a reverent fear of God, and honor those in authority, even if they are not honorable themselves.

Conclusion and Reflection

This passage challenges modern sensibilities, especially in cultures that celebrate individual freedom over collective order. Yet, Peter's words remind us that our ultimate allegiance is to God, and our submission to human authorities is a reflection of our submission to Him. This doesn't mean blind obedience to unjust laws or tyrannical rulers; rather, it calls for a wise, discerning submission that seeks to uphold God's order while also advocating for justice and righteousness.

In our lives, this might mean paying taxes, obeying traffic laws, or participating in civic duties not just as legal obligations but as acts of worship. It's about living in such a way that our conduct in society points others towards Christ, showing that true freedom is found in serving God, not in rebelling against every form of authority.

This teaching, while challenging, invites us to live counter-culturally, demonstrating through our lives the peace and order that come from living under God's authority, even as we navigate the complexities of human governance.

The Balance of Submission and Resistance

When considering Peter's command to submit, it's crucial to understand that this submission isn't absolute in the sense that it overrides all moral and ethical considerations. The Bible provides a nuanced view where obedience to God can sometimes require resistance to human authority. Here are some detailed thoughts:

• Acts 5:29 - "We must obey God rather than men." This statement by the Apostles provides a clear guideline. When human laws or commands directly contradict God's laws, the Christian's duty is to obey God. This isn't rebellion but a higher form of obedience.

• Examples from Scripture:

  • Daniel: His refusal to stop praying to God, even when it meant facing the lion's den, wasn't an act of defiance against authority but an act of fidelity to God. Daniel respected the king's authority but placed his loyalty to God first.

  • The Apostles: When they were commanded not to preach in Jesus' name, they chose to continue, not out of disdain for authority, but because they recognized a higher authority in God.

These examples illustrate that while submission is the general rule, there are exceptions where standing for God's truth requires civil disobedience. This isn't about personal rights but about divine rights.

Living Out Submission Today

• In Daily Life:

  • Respecting Law Enforcement: Even if we disagree with certain laws or actions, respecting the role of law enforcement officers can be seen as an act of submission. This doesn't mean we can't advocate for change or justice but doing so with respect for their role.

  • Paying Taxes: Paying taxes, even when we might feel they're misused, can be viewed as an act of worship, submitting to the system God has allowed to be in place.

• In Political Engagement:

  • Voting and Civic Duty: Engaging in the political process, voting, and perhaps even running for office, are ways Christians can submit to the system while also influencing it for good.

  • Advocacy: Christians should feel compelled to advocate for policies that align with biblical values, doing so within the framework of the law, showing respect for the process even when challenging specific policies.

• In Ethical Dilemmas:

  • Abortion and Euthanasia: When laws or orders directly oppose God's commands, like those promoting abortion or euthanasia, believers must resist. However, this resistance should be marked by wisdom, grace, and often through legal and peaceful means, not anarchy or violence.

The Witness of Our Submission

Our submission to authority, when it aligns with God's will, serves as a powerful witness in several ways:

• Integrity: Our actions match our beliefs. When we submit to authority, we show that our faith influences all areas of life, not just private worship.

• Peace: By submitting, we contribute to societal order rather than chaos. This demonstrates the peace that Christ brings, even in a world of conflict.

• Hope: Our hope isn't ultimately in changing governments but in God's ultimate reign. Our submission reflects this hope, showing that our trust is in God's sovereignty over all earthly powers.

Challenges and Considerations

• When Authority Fails:

  • What happens when authorities do not act for the punishment of evil or praise of good? Here, the Christian's role might shift towards:

    • Prophetic Critique: Speaking truth to power, not out of disrespect but out of a desire for justice and righteousness.

    • Advocacy for the Oppressed: Supporting those who are wronged by authorities, showing God's heart for justice.

    • Respect for the Office: Even when critiquing, maintaining a posture of respect for the office if not the person holding it.

• Personal Application:

  • Each Christian must discern where to draw the line. This requires:

    • Prayer: Seeking God's guidance in complex situations.

    • Community Wisdom: Consulting with fellow believers for counsel.

    • Deep Understanding of Scripture: Knowing God's word thoroughly to apply it correctly in various contexts.

Conclusion: A Call to Holistic Living

Peter's call to submit isn't just about political obedience but about holistic Christian living. It's about embodying the Kingdom of God in every sphere of life, showing that our citizenship in heaven influences how we live on earth. This passage challenges us to rethink our attitudes towards authority, not as an oppressive force but as a framework within which we can glorify God through obedience, wisdom, and sometimes, courageous resistance.

In essence, 1 Peter 2:13-17 invites us into a life where our submission to earthly authorities is a reflection of our ultimate submission to the authority of Christ, demonstrating through our lives the transformative power of the Gospel in all areas, including the political and social. This isn't just about conforming to laws but about transforming society through the love, justice, and peace of Christ.