12/24/2021
I was asked to share this.
Here is the passage from Sunday’s sermon (See Facebook post for the whole sermon):
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) (See also Romans 13:1-7, Ecc. 8:2-5)
We discussed the importance of following the Word of God and what this passage meant, and we talked about the recent pandemic and the mandates.
“The people of God were obliged to obey their earthly king or governing authority because he was anointed by Almighty God. To obey the king, therefore, was to give honor to God. Our submission to authority on Earth is one important part of our submission to Christ in Heaven.” – Phillip Ryken
Martin Luther called this the duty of political obedience.
The greatest example of this for us was the recent pandemic mandates – I chose to follow those mandates exactly because of these passages.
For me, it was never an issue at all as to whether masks worked or not – because it made absolutely no difference, as a Christian, I am a servant of God and I must obey His Word. These passages tell me to follow God’s servants, the governing authorities – not to worry about my comforts or felt rights as long as I am not ordered to go against God’s Word
I know that in following the governer’s mandates that we lost some members – but know this, I would not do anything different. I have to stand on the Word of God because one day I will stand before God as your shepherd and give an account. In these matters I can stand with confidence.
And as your shepherd, to go against the clear teaching of Scripture is a sin. I cannot lead you into sin. And I am biblically to do all in my power to protect you from spiritual and physical dangers. Also I am to equip the flock in the Word so that they will make decisions according to God’s Word.
So like Martin Luther, I had to stand on the Word of God – I could do no other – God help me. It cost us, but God never said obedience would be easy.
As Peter told us, Jesus Christ is our example, Who gave up His rights, submitted to the governing authorities, and suffered at their hands to save sinners such as us.
“Jesus is the King of Kings so when we submit to any earthly government, we are really honoring His eternal kingship. Jesus Christ is the Savior Who died at His own appointed time, patiently surrendering His spirit to the Father. . . .Give your life to Christ, and He will save you forever. Your future will be secure, despite all the troubles and uncertainties of life.” – Phillip Ryken.
But why are we commanded to submit to the governing authorities God has instituted? Peter says to “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake.” For the Lord’s sake, if you miss that you will never understand why we are called to live like this. Jesus is our example in submission (and praise God that He did live in submission).
So this institution of civil government is established by God and it needs to be upheld by the citizenry ====== and if Christians are going to be good citizens, then we must follow these authorities that God has established for our good.
Hear this: there exists no where is Scripture a place for anarchy. The imperative for those of us who are Christians is to obey God’s Word and follow Jesus and to uphold the structure of civil government, even though it might not institute Christian values
There is this notion in today’s Western society that if we don’t agree with who is in charge then we can put them down, and even as Christians we uphold the government as long as it does what we like as Christians. But God says “NO” to this thinking.
God says to uphold the government because I instituted it for the well being of society even given the fact that it does not institute Christian values
Think about the climate in which Peter is writing! Who is in charge there? === Nero and the oppressive Roman government. If Peter didn’t agree with this then he would have written this much differently; Picket Rome, refuse to cooperate; do a petition drive to get Nero’s attention; purposely ignore a law or a mandate; or pout because they are stepping on your rights and we don’t like people telling us what to do.
Peter does none of that, we are to voluntarily submit to the government since God instituted it. I was amazed that during the pandemic, speakers on AFR and other ministries were telling Christians that the Bible says we could rebel over simple mandates like facemasks that are not against the Word of God.
They twisted passages that supported submission to governing authorities – like Jesus and Pilate, when Jesus clearly tells Pilate that any authority that Pilate has was given to him by God. Then Jesus is submissive and does not go against that authority and lets Pilate both flog and crucify Him.
They also talked about Paul and the High Priest in Acts 23:
2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” 4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ” Acts 23:2–5 (ESV)
At this time in his life, Paul was almost blind and he had been away from Jerusalem for years. It is clear he did not know who spoke to have him struck. But some want to twist this to have Paul speaking in jest, but notice when backs up his apology by quoting about God given authority and how we are to support it.
The most ridiculous one I heard was a female host on APR quoted this verse and then said if anyone tells you to follow the mandates, then just quote this verse:
2 We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God.
2 Corinthians 4:2 (The Message)
Notice she had to go to The Message to get this one. Let me show you what this verse literally says:
2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 2 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV) == which has the exact opposite meaning than what she said. Paul in this section is talking about hypocrisy and in this verse not to twist the Word of God to mean something that it doesn’t.
But you may ask, “Aren’t there times when we should stand against the governing authorities? The Bible does give some examples:
The only time the Bible gives exceptions is when the State violates the direct command of God that would force a Christian individual to choose between his allegiance to God and his allegiance to Caesar
Ex 1 – Hebrew midwives --- kill the children – mandate for them to do this which directely goes against the Word of God.
Dan 3 – Rack, Shack, and Benny == Bow down to an idol – directly –you as individuals are to bow down --- you must do this --- They said we can’t because God said not to.
Dan 6 – Daniel and prayer – State said only pray to the King – even in your own home you cannot pray to God – Daniel prayed
This was a direct mandate that he had to abandon God – so he rightfully rebelled.
Acts 5 – Told them – you as individuals cannot personally preach this Jesus --- Peter says “sorry – you judge for yourselves rather it is right for us to obey God or you.”
In each of these cases – individual believer was called on personally to make a choice between a governmental decree involving him or what God’s Word clearly commanded.
This may not be popular today – but as believers we are called upon to uphold the structure of civil government even though it may not institute Christian values
Sure you are to be a good citizen – and that means voting and making your voice heard --- but you are to honor those in charge, not try to knock them down or rebel.
Our freedom functions under voluntarily submission to God, look at 1 Peter 2:17-18
1. Show proper respect or honor to everyone. Are you showing proper honor to everyone?
The Word of God says that a believer is to show honor to all. We are to recognize that everyone is made in God’s image, therefore they are worthy of honor and respect. Even science now agrees that we are all one family, one race. There is no one on this planet genetically better than anyone else.
How did Jesus treat sinners? – Woman caught in adultery? – woman at the well? – Zacchaeus?
2. Beyond that common respect and honor of all humanity is a special love that is to those who are in the Church (proper respect for everyone and agape love within the Church).
This agape love, unconditional love, is not a emotional love but it is a loyalty and a commitment through good times and in bad times. It takes work! I know I am not easy to love but you are called to love me and every Christian. Likewise I am called to love each of you unconditionally even though you are not easy to love.
We are taught to live as Christ lived, to love sacrificially and forgivingly. We are to not focus on our wants but consider the needs of others as more important. And we are commanded to forgive each other.
I know some of you are very upset with the way some left over the mask issue, but Peter reminds us to love, forgive and reconcile and pray for them.
3. Reverential fear to God – We are not servants of men so we do not fear men. We give them honor freely and we love Christians freely, but we bow To God’s absolute awestruck authority.
4. Honor the King – He is not to be feared and he need not be loved as Christians are loved, but he must be honored. Our command is to honor President Biden. (Why is Joe Biden our president now? – because God wanted Him to be. (Don’t you think God could have kept him out even if there was cheating as some claim?). We are to honor Governor Justice, Sheriff Bailey, our State Police and any others that God has put in authority over us.
So first comes our absolute allegiance to God, next comes our affectionate love for other believers – then comes our honor to the king and other authorities.
Jesus is our example in all of this – obey God “Not My will but yours” === He loved us with a love we will never understand.
