The Believer and Government

Explanation: Peter has just stressed the idea of believers living as aliens in a foreign country, as Pilgrims who are on a journey. As such, we are to stand out and be distinct from the world around us. Peter then reminds his readers that while they are aliens, they are also legal citizens of the Empire. As such, they are to be in submission to the Emperor and his appointed officials.

Peter informs the believers that it is because they are believers that they are to submit to authority. Believers are indeed citizens of Heaven, and this form of the world is not our home. But believers are called to a higher standard and for the sake of the Savior, we are to be model citizens.

Illustrate: Seminary professor who got pulled for speeding. When the officer found out he was a pastor, he said to him, “if we can’t you guys to obey the law, where are we with others?”

Argument: Christ calls us to be salt and light in the world, and this includes the area of government. One way for us to do this is to follow the laws of the land. We may not like to pay taxes, and we may disagree with the tax code, but we are to render to Caesar what is Caesar’s

Caveat: We do answer to God, and we are not to blindly follow the government when it calls on us to directly violate God’s revealed truth. (cd ). When and if the government passes legislation that would cause us to blaspheme the Savior or deny the fundamental tenets of our faith, believers are called to civil disobedience.

Application: Living in accordance with the law without complaining or fomenting rebellion or dissent can be a powerful witness. We can tell others our disagreement with the situation, but also tell them why we submit to authorities

Believers are called to submit to authority in the workplace ()

Explanation: This particular command was written for those in a slave/master relationship. The bible never condones slavery or present it as an ideal situation. Scripture simply gives believers guidelines for those who found themselves in that particular situation. Notice that the Bible never suggests revolution as the means to overcome social ills.

Argument: The closest arrangement we have to the slave / master relationship is the employee / employer arrangement. The principles that Peter gave for the slave/master relationship are valid in the other situation as well.

The basic thrust is for the slaves to honor and respect the master, regardless of whether the master was kind and gentle, or if he was harsh & cruel. As Christian employees, we are called to be hard workers with positive attitudes of respect for the boss whether he is a fine leader or a pinhead jerk. When believers have a good attitude when working for a jerk, it serves as a positive witnessing opportunity for other employees.

Believers are called to submission in these areas because Jesus gave us an example to follow ()

Explanation: Peter follows up the commands for submission by giving the reason: believers are to follow the example of their Master. While Jesus is much, much more than just our example, He still serves as our Example for life. Peter reminds the believers that Jesus suffered more injustice than anyone, and He did not retaliate. The Sinless Son of God endured lies, petty jealousy, outright hatred, disbelief, and physical torture. And Jesus did it for us - He endured all of that for us. The only truly innocent person, and the One with the power to change the circumstances in a split second, chose instead to suffer the injustices without reviling or threatening.

Illustrate: The martyrdom of bishops Latimer, Ridley, and Cranmer under the reign of Bloody Mary in 1555. They were burned at the stake for refusing to recant their belief in the one time sufficient Sacrifice of Christ as opposed to accepting the Catholic Mass. Upon his death, Ridley prayed, “I beseech thee Lord God, have mercy on this realm of England and deliver it from all her enemies.”

Argument: Jesus entrusted His soul to the One who judges justly. We have His example, we have the examples from believers in history, and we have the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. As American believers we move ourselves from suffering, and we consider that we are so special and blessed that God would not allow us to experience such things. We also pride ourselves on being ignorant of history, and church history in general, so we are ignorant of the historical reality of the suffering of the saints over the years. God may very well be ready to give the American church a wake up call in this area, and it will be interesting to see the effects this has on His church

Application: We are called to faithfulness, not fear. We are called to serve God, obey the laws, be model employees, and to live quiet and peaceable lives as long as we are able to do so. We should also be prepared to stand for Jesus, regardless of the cost

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