One House : 1 Peterਨਮੂਨਾ

Submit to Authorities

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. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

1 Peter 2:13–17 ESV

Submission to authority usually depends on whether or not we support said authority. The issue that many had with Jesus during his ministry was that they were hoping for political revolution, but He came for spiritual transformation. The example set by Christ and reiterated here by Peter is that as believers, we’re called to submit to the authority that we are under, unless by submitting to that authority we would be in sin.

Peter and the other apostles were acutely aware of the tension between submitting to authority and standing for truth in the face of persecution. Peter was ultimately killed by the authority that he was living under because he refused to stop preaching the Gospel. Again, we must remember that our submission to the authorities we are under is a sign of trust in God and honor to Him. It says to the world that no matter what, I know who is really in control. So I will drive the speed limit, pay my taxes, and pray for those in power because I fully trust God.