“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 commend those who do right.” 1 Peter 2:13-14
Peter now tells us something that most people and many Christians struggle with: submission to those in authority. Most people do not like to be told what to do or not to do. America was founded on the principle of freedom from tyranny.
Look around today and see how many people try to get around the rules. When you are driving down the road, notice how many people try to push the speed limit by driving 5 miles over the speed limit. How many people complain when a new rule is placed by authorities? Yet you are told to submit.
Many Christians try to state that they do not have to follow a President because that President is not living a God-fearing lifestyle or is making decisions that are not honoring God. When Peter wrote this the Roman empire was in control. The rulers were not exactly nice people to follow, yet, he stated that they were to be obeyed. This obedience is to all people in authority, not just the Christian ones.
The only time a person is allowed to defy those in authority is when he is told to do something that goes against God’s rules. An example of this would be if the authority told you to steal something. In that case you need to stand your ground for God’s rule of not to steal. It is actually very rare for a governmental authority to ask you to do something that defies God’s rules.
God has placed every person that is in a position of authority there for a reason. You have to trust that God knows what He is doing and what that person in authority is doing, whether good or bad. You need to set the Godly example of being obedient. Obey that person as though it were God speaking through him. Who knows, maybe, by your obedience you will bring that person to a saving knowledge of Jesus.
Today work at being obedient to every leader over you: workplace boss, local police, state authorities, and national authorities. Use every circumstance as a chance to be a witness for God.
I pray that today God will strengthen you to be obedient to those in authority; that God will give you His wisdom to know when it is right to disobey those in authority; that God will use you to be His witness in this dark world; and that God will receive all the glory and honor in your actions.
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