Ep 346 – 1 Peter 2:13-17

What is the Christian's relationship to earthly governments to look like? That is what Peter brings up in verses 13-17 of 1 Peter 2. And what he has to say may be a bit surprising to some of us. I've entitled this episode, "Submit Like It" because Peter is going to continue his call for believers to live out their newfound status as sons and daughters of God by living lives that are set apart from the rest of the world. Our behavior is to reflect our identity as the chosen people of God, royal priests, and as members of a holy nation. We are exiles here, but we still have to get along with the rest of the world and live according to the rules and regulations established by earthly rulers and governments. Peter is going to make it perfectly clear that, as Christians, we are not free to live as we choose or to use our citizenship in heaven to declare our independence from any form of earthly rule. No, he tells us to submit to every human institution, for the Lord's sake. And it is important to note that the audience that received Peter's original letter would have been living under extreme conditions, submitting to the Roman Empire with all its oppressive taxes and harsh regulatory practices. Just because they were free in Christ did not mean they were free to reject the government God had placed in authority over them. Their actions and attitudes were to be Christ-like and honoring at all times.