Submitting to Authority: 1 Peter 2:13-17

Tires screeched and sparks flew as the group of cars drove in tight circles next to one another. Scoffing at the law and jeering at authority, the drivers were clearly reveling in doing “donuts” together. But these cars weren’t in a deserted parking lot or on an empty road.  Instead, they were in the middle of a four-lane freeway.

I’d never heard of something like this until taking a car trip recently with a group of friends.  Throughout our long drive, we’d been calling and texting back and forth between the two vehicles.  Our chatter was fun and light hearted, but all of that changed when our friends a few miles behind us called. They were at a dead stop and trying to figure out why.  As we checked traffic reports, the horrified driver began narrating the unfolding scene.  A group of cars just ahead of them had stopped on the freeway simultaneously and had begun driving in circles. Through a coordinated effort, they’d created a huge traffic jam and could have caused serious injuries. A few minutes later they sped off just before Highway Patrol arrived on the scene.

Their blatant defiance of traffic laws and basic safety was frightening.  After all, aren’t rules of the road made to protect all of us and to keep traffic moving in an orderly fashion?  When people decide not to abide by them, traffic snarls, tempers flare, and accidents occur.

It doesn’t matter whether we like the laws of the road or think they’re fair.  We must accept them to keep our roadways safe and orderly. As drivers, we submit to the authority of the law because we know it’s meant to protect us, even if it means some of our freedoms are limited.

But what do we do about other authorities in our lives?  What about a leader in local or national government whose policies we oppose? How are we, as followers of Jesus, called to respond?

Peter tells us: “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, 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. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.  Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.”  (1 Peter 2:13-17, NIV)

In case his words seem quaint or ridiculous, let’s not forget some of the ruthless and corrupt government authorities Peter had seen in his lifetime. During his childhood, he’d heard stories of Herod the Great killing the baby boys in Bethlehem to eliminate a rival king, the prophesied Messiah.  In adulthood, Peter knew John the Baptist, who was beheaded by Herod Antipas on a whim to please his step-daughter during a party.  He’d watched Pilate allow the crucifixion of Jesus with no grounds.  And Peter endured the ongoing oppression of Nero, a great antagonist to followers of Christ who found pleasure in dipping them in tar and lighting them on fire to illuminate his garden parties.

So, when Peter gives us instructions about how to respond to earthly authorities, we would be wise to take heed. Author and theologian John Piper helps us understand Peter’s teaching by explaining how to honor leaders who oppose our biblical views.  What follows is a summary of an article he wrote that contains some timeless truths on this difficult topic. (See the link at the bottom to read the article in its entirety.)

Humbling Ourselves:  We honor our leaders because we are humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God. We acknowledge that we are sinners in need of mercy and forgiveness. We are not the final judges on any matter, God is. We are not morally superior to anyone and are utterly dependent on the mercy of God found in Christ.

Acknowledging God’s Image:  We honor authorities because they were created in the image of God. We honor them because they are utterly unique human beings with tremendous potential, just like us.

Acknowledging God’s Institution:  We honor authorities because Government is God’s institution.  Leaders are in power by God’s appointment and we honor that (see Romans 13:4).  We may grieve when leaders enact policies that are contrary to our values, but we know that bad government is better than no government. We honor our leaders for the stabilizing role they play in society. As my opening story illustrates, their job, metaphorically speaking, is to keep the cars moving in one direction down the freeway for our good.

Honoring Laws Not Conflicting with Christ’s Lordship:  We honor our leaders by submitting to laws of the state and nation that do not conflict with our higher allegiance to Christ the King of kings and Lord of lords.  We submit to the right of government to limit us in many areas, especially when the good of others is at stake. We submit not for a leader’s sake, but for the Lord’s, as 1 Peter 2:13 describes. We submit to honor leaders under God because it is from God that they have the authority to enforce the laws of the land.

Not Withdrawing into Isolation:  We honor our leaders by not withdrawing into little communes of people disengaged from American culture. We make it a priority to play our part in doing good as God calls us to in 1 Peter 2:15. We live with integrity and expect our leaders to do the same.

Opposing with Non-Violence:  If we oppose an authority’s position, we do it without violence or dishonorable speech.  We make it our goal to put forth truth and not to be fueled by emotions.  (2 Corinthians 4:2)

Trusting the Sovereign, Loving Purpose of God:  We honor our leaders by trusting the purpose of our sovereign and loving God. We pray for our leaders as God commands us to do, keeping His Word in mind:

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”  (1 Timothy 2:1-4, NIV)

We are living in tumultuous times, but if we can keep these biblical truths in the forefront of our minds, they will help us to live with integrity and to honor God.  If you’re having a hard time swallowing this truth, be encouraged by Lauren Daigle’s song “O’Lord.” Make it your prayer as you listen.

 

To read the full text of John Piper’s article, click on the link below. Although it was written in 1993 for a very specific political issue, the words of wisdom he provides are timeless:

Click here to read John Piper’s article.

Inspired by Week 5 in 1 Peter: A Living Hope in Christ by Jen Wilkin, Lifeway Press, 2016.