1 Peter Part VI-Who's the Boss?

1 Peter 2:13-25

Authority. Sometimes we like it. Sometimes we don't. How do you often view authority? Are you typically submissive to the authority around you: parents, teachers, pastors, police officers, crossing guards, bosses, coaches, referees, and principals?

In Part V we talked about how as living stones and followers of Chrsit we are people of privilege: we have the privilage of a special inheritance, the priviege of immediate and constant access, the privilege of true perfection, and the privilege of an infinite owner. This privilege also has a purpose: to proclaim the excellencies of God who has led us out of darkness and into His marvelous light.

Unfortunately, people of privilege often think they can do whatever they want. This should not be so with us. Peter address this attitude in vv 13-25.

Think about these questions for a minute:

What are some reasons you are obedient to authority?

What are some reasons you are not obedient to authority?

Peter gives us three biblical reasons we submit ourselves to governing authorities in vv 13-15.

1. For the Lord's Sake-You've heard people say the phrase "for God's sake" referring to many different things before. Peter is literally saying, for the sake of the kingdom of God, listen and obey authority.

2. God has put them in their position for a purpose-We also see this in Romans 13:1. That purpose is to punish evil and to praise good.

3. People will not be able to speak against you-Remember the context that Peter is writing in. Nero's persecution of the Christians is about to start. One reason for the persecution is the perception that Christians are rebellious toward authority. If the Christians will respect the authority placed over them, this argument against them will be silenced.

Here are 3 truths that come from the reasons we submit to authority:

Truth 1: Honoring the king benefits the Kingdom. (v13) Notice the little "k" and the big "K" here. When we honor earthly authority, we benefit God's heavenly Kingdom.

Truth 2: Rulers have a righteous purpose. (v14) Do our leaders always live up to this purpose righteously? Of course not! How should we respond when they fail to fulfill the purpose that is given them? Pray for the. Follow them as long as you can without disobeying God. And, please, don't talk bad about them!

Truth 3: Submission & respect muzzle critics. (v15)

But, what if your leaders ask you to do something unbibilical? Is Peter saying we should obey authority without exception?

The first way we can answer this question is by looking at the whole of scripture. We see several stories, including Daniel 6 and Acts 5 where righteous people chose to disobey earthly authority because that authority asked them to disobey God.

God wants us to submit freely to the authority he has placed over us. He does not want us to have the attitude "I answer to a higher authority" as an excuse to do whatever we want. V16 referst to this as using our freedom as a covering for sin.

Truth 4: Free submission is true submission. (v16)

But, when we look at authority, we do have to keep our priorities straight. Verse 17 lays out two areas of priorities: first toward those around us not in authority, and then toward authority.

First, Peter tells us to honor all me and love the brotherhood. We should not let our love for the church and the privileged get in teh way of the purpose of our privilege-the love and rescue of all men.

Second, we need to fear God and honor the king. Show your fear of God by hnoring the king He has put in place, but remember when ther eis a question of who to obey, God comes first!

Truth 5: Fearing God is top priority. (v17)

But, what about when we are treated unfairly by authority? How are we supposed to respond then?

Truth 6: The failure of men to rule responsibly does not excuse you from honoring them. (v18-19)

Truth 7: God is pleased when His people respond to injustice with honor and perseverance. (v20)

You might be saying, "but that's too hard to do. How am I supposed to stay encouraged to bear up under that pressure?" Check out v21-25!

Truth 8: Jesus is the perfect example (v21-22)

Truth 9: The righteous judge is still in control and worthy of trust. (v23-25)

This is the big picture! Respect authority that God has placed over you on earth so that no one can speak against your God. Regardless of how you are treated and what you suffer, follow the example of Jesus by entrusting yourself to the one who judges righteously!