1 Peter 2:13-15 1 minutes to read

1 Peter 2:13-15

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

The exiles were in another country under a foreign ruler that was many times hostile toward them. They were being subjected to a new set of rules that they may not have agreed with. How were they to respond to the governing authorities according to God’s will?

Peter tells them to submit themselves to the human institutions of authority for the Lord’s sake. In other words, don’t see it as allegiance to a human government but as an act of obedience and allegiance to God. In so doing, those who want to discredit you will be seen as foolish because even in a difficult situation you are doing good and acting rightly. Those who follow Christ are from a heavenly kingdom and have a higher authority in heaven. We are subject to the authority of God and His Word.

This is especially difficult when we disagree or feel the authority is making a mistake. On occasions in scripture we see where human authorities demand that God’s people disobey God or they themselves are abusing their authority. In these situations we see in scripture that we must take our stands for righteousness. In our current times of racial inequality and abusive treatment at the hands of the police we see a guideline for protesting. In our protest we are not to violate the moral laws of the law. Property damage and violence violate the injustices we are protesting in the first place and makes us law breakers as well. In peaceful protesting we highlight the injustices that need reform within God’s Will and solicit his support.

Reflection

How might God want me to stand up for righteousness in this current situation in a way that does not violate righteousness in the process?

Prayer

Father, help us to hold our governing authorities accountable to uphold righteousness in ways that will honor you and generate significant reform to protect ,and to serve, all citizens.

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