Based on 1 Peter 2:11-25 (New King James Version)

11 “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 ‘Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth’; 23 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; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

This is another message that is not hard to understand, but rather, many people may find it difficult to accept. The issue we see in today’s passage consists of how we should coexist with our earthly authorities. There are instances where we might be able to deal with people that are pleasant as authorities, people that we might possibly feel some sort of closeness and affinity with, and that makes our subjection easy to fulfill. But our subjection turns quite difficult when we have to deal with unpleasant people or with people who we have deep disagreements with. In the majority of times, having to deal with someone unpleasant, or evil, or with different thoughts and ideas, or incompetent, or simply someone we just don’t like, life then becomes very difficult for us, and we feel stressed, or tired, or disheartened. I think we have all had this problem at some point. What else does the Word teach us regarding this?

The Bible continues telling us very clearly the following: 1 “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 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. 4 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. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. 8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:1-8. So then, the Word of God is very clear in that we should be subject to them and respect them, and that we should try to do what is good at all costs.

In one occasion, the religious people tried to see what the Lord Himself would say about the same issue, about how to treat authorities, especially those that are unpleasant and unjust. To be able to have a better idea of what they were dealing with, we need to remember that the Roman Empire had conquered and occupied Israel by then, and not peacefully, but rather, through its powerful legions, crushing everything that would get in their way, and imposing its will and laws upon nations and people as part of its dominion. So, these people were neither living in a democracy, nor with human rights, nor anything that had to do with avoiding psychological abuse. The things we have today in the majority of civilized nations did not exist back then. So, our civilization today had nothing to do with what the Lord endured while here on earth. And this is what happened in that instance: 15 “Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. 16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. 17 Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?’ 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, ‘Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? 19 Show Me the tax money.’ So they brought Him a denarius. 20 And He said to them, ‘Whose image and inscription is this?’ 21 They said to Him, ‘Caesar’s.’ And He said to them, ‘Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ 22 When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way.” Matthew 22:15-22.

So, considering the tyranny of the Romans, and that the Lord did not at any instant incite any kind of rebellion or resistance, how do you think we should live today? The Lord simply is not in agreement with any kind of rebellion. As people of God, we need to try to live in the most peaceful way possible, just as we are taught in the Word, of trying to be at peace with all people. And just as He Himself taught us directly, that we should give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s. If you have a bad supervisor, pray for him or her. Do not despise or speak bad about them behind their back. If a policeman did something wrong to you, pray for them. Try to resolve your problem peacefully. If you don’t like a president or a person in a similar position, pray for them. And if that authority is not in agreement with what the Word teaches, and they are inciting you to go against the things of God, simply vote for someone who does support the things of God. Otherwise, you need to respect them. And if you don’t find the way to deal with your authorities, pray to God for a way out or for help, so that He can open another door. Whatever you decide to do, try to do it peacefully, leaving on high the Name of the Lord, and not giving any reason or inciting for the Lord to be blasphemed by your actions. Remember that the Lord sees everything, and that we will give an account someday. So then, are you coexisting with others in such a way that they can see the Lord in your life, so that they can believe also? Lord bless! John

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