The Biblical call to 'submit to authority' - and what that looks like

We should follow Jesus Christ in such a way that our lives cause people to talk about us, and in such a way that our lives silence that talk.

Peter assumes that the church, built on the foundation that is Jesus Christ – rejected by man but chosen by God - will be a people who are often rejected by those around us.

He expects that those around us will “accuse you of doing wrong” (1 Peter 2v12).

He assumes that people will “speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ” (3v16).

He anticipates that unbelievers will be “surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living” and that they will “heap abuse on you” (4v4).

Therefore, Peter wants us to live good lives that “silence the ignorant talk of foolish people” (2v15) and cause those who speak maliciously to “be ashamed of their slander” (3v16).

Submission

The apostle’s first example of putting flesh on the bones of “live such good lives” is a call to “submit yourself for the Lord’s sake to every human authority” (2v13-17). What is the general posture of a Christian towards human authority? Submission.

Our post-Enlightenment, democratic world likes to think of authority as something that flows upwards – the mass of people deciding who should exercise authority on our behalf. In the Bible, authority flows downwards. God establishes the rulers (Romans 13v1). The emperor, the supreme authority (under God, of course) then sends governors to exercise authority on his behalf. We are called to submit.

Do you recoil at this instruction? God’s Word could not be clearer. Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to human authority.

At the same time, remember that the life and witness of the church will be subversive. It should be evident that we do not dance to the values and cultural assumptions of our society. We know the true Lord, we have a true hope, we have a higher authority. Our lives should cause people to speak against us! We subvert the priorities of our nation, but we submit to the rulers of our nation.

People will accuse us of doing wrong - because our lives are so clearly different - but as soon as they look more closely at our lives, their talk should be silenced as the ignorant talk of foolish people.

Look at your life...

Is your commitment to Christ clear enough that the thought police might come knocking on your door?

Is your commitment to Christ clear enough that if they watched you they would see that there is not a hint of sedition or rebellion in your behaviour? In fact, would they hear you honouring the rulers?

Would they, looking at your social media, see that you speak about politicians and the government in a way that conveys respect?

Jesus Christ has set you free. You are free from the tyranny of living by the expectations of culture. But do not use this freedom as a cover-up for your own personal desires. You are set free to be a slave of the living God (2v16).

You do not go with the flow of those around you, but neither are you a proud individualist pursuing your own dreams. You are known as someone who follows the commands of your heavenly Master.

Warnings and encouragement

Some Christians might need to hear the warning against rebellion. Others might need to hear the encouragement to live publicly for Christ rather than hide their faith because of fear of what people might say.

We should follow Jesus Christ in such a way that our lives cause people to talk about us, and in such a way that our lives silence that talk.