A Christian Response
Hello and Happy Sabbath. I
hope this finds you well today. While
reading this week, I ran across a tough teaching in 1 Peter 2 that I wanted to
share with you. To my American ears this
cut to my core because Peter talks about how we should behave and react in the
midst of persecution.
The passage we will be looking at is 1 Peter 2:13-25. It is usually accepted that the Apostle Peter
wrote this letter and traditionally this is seen as falling in the period of
persecution under Nero in 65 AD. Though
there are some disputes and alternative theories to these, it does not affect
the message in which we will read today.
Many of you who know me personally have probably heard me say
before that in this country we are rapidly moving toward a society in which we
can relate much more to the New Testament church than the Church of 30 years
ago. I am pretty enthusiastic in this
comparison and if our moral center as a country doesn’t change, I see us as
Christians facing much of the same persecution as the first century
Church. Keep that in mind when I look to
the New Testament Church I see a model for starting churches in homes, moving
away from a building centered model and allowing ourselves to be identified by
our actions rather than where we gather once a week. Even with this ideal I am reading along in 1
Peter and I hit 2:13-25 and I think I actually took it to heart for the first
time.
13 Be subject
for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as
supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do
evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of
God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish
people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a
cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor
everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
(1 Peter 2:13-17 ESV)
While
this part isn’t the easiest to swallow, it wasn’t this part that was the gut
check. We should be subject to the
leaders and institutions we encounter in our countries and cultures, unless it
asks us to violate God’s commands. Our
lives should be constantly transformed through our new life in Christ and the
power of the Holy Spirit. Peter’s words
remind of me Paul’s words to Timothy.
1 First of
all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings
be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high
positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in
every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God
our Savior,
(1
Timothy 2:1-3)
Also
Paul’s words to the Romans bear a striking resemblance to Peter’s.
1 Let every
person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority
except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore
whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who
resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good
conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority?
Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he
is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not
bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries
out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in
subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For
because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God,
attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them:
taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom
respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
(Romans
13:1-7)
So
we are to submit to the authorities and institutions that are in place for our
nation. Fortunately for us, our nation
is based on the idea of self-governance, so we at least get to participate. But even when things don’t go the way we
want, we have to trust that God is in control.
We can whine and say, but Paul and Peter, …guys…, this guy wants to
raise my taxes and marginalize my voice.
And Paul words still stand against it, remember that Nero was the emperor
when he wrote these words, Nero who hunted down Christians, putting lighting
them on fire and feeding them to lions. The
next passage is what really got me, picking up in 18-25.
18 Servants,
be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle
but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when,
mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For
what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if
when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the
sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ
also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his
steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he
suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who
judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree,
that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been
healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned
to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
(1 Peter 2:18-25)
He addresses this to servants, but this can imply to any situation
where there is a person over you in an authority position, such as your
employer. He tells us that we should
submit to them with respect whether they are good or bad, just or unjust. Then he asks what it proves to be submissive
to a gentle and kind master, but enduring in doing the right thing even when it
gets you punishment shines honor to
God. Peter goes on to remind us that
Christ did not argue with those who persecuted them and defend himself, but
rather he trusted the guidance of God the Father. Peter’s words reminded me of another
scripture that tells us that no one is better than their master.
20
Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his
master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my
word, they will also keep yours.
(John
15:20)
We
should not expect anything other than to endure what Jesus did. Constant arguments and attacks to the message
that we profess and persecution of beatings and even death. Whether it is at work, school, politics, etc,
etc, we should realize that enduring difficult situations tests our faith and
testifies to God’s glory. We must take
this message to heart as we find ourselves living in a society that is ever
increasing in its hostility toward Christ.
We must never tire of doing the right thing, even when it brings heat
upon us. We also should not complain and
whine, not if we truly believe that God has all things in his hands. If we believe Romans 8:28, that God works all
things for good for those who love him, then we are forced to accept that when
bad things happen or tough times come that God will ultimately use it for his
glory and good will come of it.
So
though the teaching Peter gives is tough, it is consistent throughout the
Gospel that we must respond differently in though situations. Our belief in God’s sovereignty, his ability
to control all things, should change our response to these things. We are told flat out that we need to endure
in these situations and rest assured that God’s hand on the situation and will
see us through.
“Father
God, I thank you for all those that read this message God. May they be blessed through this message you
have laid upon my heart to share God.
Lord help us to know in our hearts that you will work things in our life
for good and that though they may be unpleasant we can find our joy in
you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.”