1 Peter 2:13-25

Submission to Rulers and Masters

Again? More information on submission? It seems like this is all we've been talking about lately. First Paul and now Peter touch on this very touchy but important subject. Look - there's a lot of talk about peace and unity in the Bible. Frankly, the Bible is all about Relationship - relationship to God, relationship to the Church, relationship to others. God created relationship, so He knows how it best works. Unfortunately, we humans seem take very poor notes. We keep changing what relationship means to us & then we wonder why everything seems to work out so poorly. God keeps hitting this relationship stuff over & over & over - hoping the message finally sinks in. So, here we go again (pay attention)

1. Obey every authority instituted above you. Yikes - this means your government, the law enforcement agencies, your boss, your parents - even if you don't agree! Ugh. Well, really it's not so bad. God put these people in authority over you for a reason, so be smart and listen up. You have a freewill, but put it to good use and make wise choices. Disobeying an authority figure only brings consequences and punishment.
** once again, if the authority figure asks you to break one of God's laws, then you can RESPECTFULLY disobey. However, you better be very sure that your disobeying because of God's will and not your own!**

2. Slaves submit to your master. I look at this as: Submit to your authority, even if they are mean. But that's not fair!!! No, it isn't. Jesus wasn't treated fairly either. He was tortured, but He still did what He was called to do by His Heavenly Father & it all worked out for His best interest in the end. Remember, your time on this earth is very short compared to eternity. Do you want it great for a little bit of time & really, really bad for a really, really long time that never ends? OR Do you want it bad for a little bit of time & really, really great for a really, really long time that never ends?

You do the math.