Click Here to Read 1 Peter 2:13-3:7

In verses 13-17 Peter expresses to us the importance of submitting to the authority of government.  This is a touchy subject in the days we are presently living in as government seems to be trying to move beyond the boundaries of their authority.  Many of us are wondering how to respond to tyrannical dictatorship in a way that is both honorable to God and protective of our freedoms.  I think this is something that we have to approach very prayerfully.  God has ordained authority to government for the purpose of order; to bring punishment to evil-doers and to offer praise and encouragement to those who do good.  God’s will is to bring order to chaos and He expects us to live in a way that demonstrates what order looks like.  “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil.  Do you want to be unafraid of the authority?  Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.  For he is God’s minister to you for good.  But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.” (Romans 13:3-4 NKJV).

I don’t think that means that we are to cower to abusive use of that authority though.  Our ultimate guide for living rightly comes from the Word of God.  If we live in line with that, we should not be concerned about combating any enforcement of law and order.  However, there are examples of government rule taking liberties beyond the authority God has ordained them.  Multiple times throughout the book of Acts we see the disciples being arrested, stoned, questioned, thrown out of cities, threatened with death, beheaded, etc. for preaching the gospel of Jesus.  They didn’t stop, but they also didn’t form riots and create further chaos.  “So they called them and commanded them not so speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.  But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.  For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.’” (Acts 4:18-20 NKJV).   They simply said in a sense, “you do what you have to do, we will do what we have to do.” 

Peter also refers us to the example of Jesus, “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:22-23 NKJV).  As we see in Philippians 2:8-11 Jesus left judgement to God, the righteous Judge.  And because of His obedience God lifted Him up and glorified Him, giving Him all authority over principalities and powers and the name that is above every other name.  Romans 8:28 tells us that God works all things together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.  If we live in obedience to God and allow Him to be the judge in our circumstances, He will move on our behalf.  If we endure suffering in spite of our innocence, God will turn it for His glory, He will lift us up.  He is the true Shepherd who watches over us.

In the same way Peter encourages servants to submit to their masters.  Not only to those who are kind but also to those who are difficult.  Verse 19 in The Passion Translation says, “You find God’s favor by deciding to please God even when you endure hardships because of unjust suffering.” (1 Peter 2:19 TPT).  I think what Peter is getting at is that if we will live our lives as pleasing unto God and not unto man, then God’s favor will be on us and it will testify to those around us, even to those in power over us.  Look at Joseph, purchased as a slave by an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh.  “The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.  And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand.  So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him.  Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority.  So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house and in the field.” (Genesis 39:2-5 NKJV).  Because Joseph found favor with God, his master put all he had under his authority and ended up blessed in his house and his field.  Joseph was a slave and yet he was given authority over everything his master had. 

Jesus, of course, is our ultimate example of enduring suffering though being innocent.  And Peter highlights for us here that the result of His suffering actually rendered a judgement for us, “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sin, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24 NKJV).  Because Jesus committed no sin and suffered on behalf of all our sin, God’s favor pours out on all who accept Him.  It pours out through healing, through restoration, through righteousness, and reconciliation to Him.  And we are given dominion on the earth and authority over all the power of the enemy that everything and everyone in our sphere of influence may be blessed and all that we do would prosper!  Suffering may be for a time but if we will remain faithful to living for God, He will turn it for our good and for His glory.

The final charge of this section is to wives in answer to one of the complications arising among new believers at that time.  How does a newly converted wife now relate to her pagan husband?  Peter teaches here that their conduct, having a pure, godly life before God, would be of the greatest impact.  “Wives, likewise be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives…let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”  (1 Peter 3:1, 4 NKJV).  No one sees the true character of a women better than her husband.  And when that character is constant in exhibiting love, honor, devotion, appreciation, and respect for God and family it speaks volumes more than words ever could.  And I am fully convinced that a woman who stands firm in unwavering faith for her family will bring about a manifestation of God’s glory throughout her household. 

I also love how Peter points out in verse 7 that husbands and wives are heirs together of the grace of life, partners in establishing a home and a family founded upon a Kingdom atmosphere “that your prayers may not be hindered.” (1 Peter 3:7 NKJV).  This partnership, this unity, protects our prayers from being hindered.  God designed marriage to be two uniting as one, not one ruling over the other.  Speaking from my own experience, seeking God together is a great way to ensure that unity stays rooted in Him.  When my husband and I decided we were going to get married I asked God to confirm that we had His blessing to go forward in it.  That night I had a dream about a scripture reference.  I couldn’t remember the chapter and verse, but I remember seeing “JOHN” in really big letters and we were able to get inside of it and hide in it and be safe and protected in it.  I knew that God was giving me a scripture to live in, and as long as we stayed in that we would always be ok.  The next morning our Pastor gave a message out of John 15, “I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NKJV).  I knew that was the scripture in my dream.  As long as we remain in Him, we will bear much fruit.  It is us united together, and united in Him, that we are heirs together of the grace of life.

Let’s pray.

Father we just acknowledge right now that You are the Righteous Judge in our lives, in our circumstances, in this world.  No matter what situations we may face we have Your promise that if we live according to Your Word, You will work all things together for our good and for Your glory.  It may not always be easy but we draw from Your strength.  We pray that You would open our understanding in times of suffering that we may be able to see what You want to accomplish and that our conduct would allow for Your favor and blessing to flow through to those around us, that they would know that You are God and that there are no other gods besides You.  May we be first and foremost servants and witnesses of Yours, our lives testifying of Your faithfulness, goodness, love, and power.  May Your favor on us extend and bless our entire households, our entire workplace, our neighborhoods, that all may know what it looks like to live under the blessing of El-Elyon, Most High God.  Amen.