1 Peter 2:13-25 NIV
[13] Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, [14] or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. [15] For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. [16] Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. [17] Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. [18] Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. [19] For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. [20] But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. [21] To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. [22] “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” [23] When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. [24] “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” [25] For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Dear God, there are a lot of parts to this, and I almost took them apart and did one section at a time, but I think they are interwoven. I saw the first part about submitting to earthly authorities and I thought, ultimately, about Jesus and asked myself whether or not he submitted to the earthly authorities by going against what the church leaders were saying throughout his life. What about Peter himself, the author of these words? Didn’t he get himself imprisoned and killed?
But then I found verse 20, kind of tucked away in the middle of this passage: “But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.” I think there might be times when we will have to follow our conscience and suffer at the hands of those in authority over us, but if we do it because we are following you then it’s okay. I think maybe the submission part is us submitting to the earthly consequences of our actions. Jesus submitted to being beaten and crucified. Paul submitted to being imprisoned. Peter was beaten and jailed several times and ultimately killed, but he submitted to it.
We are coming up on the day we observe Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday in about 10 days. He and a lot of other people like him certainly walked this road, before MLK, with MLK, and after MLK. He didn’t raise up a physical revolution, but he did force the authority in his life to deal with them and their positions. I guess it’s not fair to say, “he,” because he certainly wasn’t alone. But you certainly imparted a leadership gifting upon him that helped to change a lot of things.
So where does all of this leave me and lead me? I tend to keep myself on fairly safe political ground even thought I have some strong political feelings. Part of it—okay, a lot of it—is a defense mechanism because I know that I have to raise money from people of all political persuasions and I don’t want my political opinions to jeopardize the work that we do. I also do it because my thoughts are not completely formed. I haven’t taken the time to educate myself and research the issues from trusted sources (not just the media on either side) so I don’t want to be wrong. I don’t know. Maybe I’m getting off on a tangent here.
Father, I guess I can cut this line off by just saying that I need to you guide me into my role in the world around me. I need you to let me know what to do, what to say, and what to think. I need you to let me know who needs my energy and my love. I need your grace over me for my failings. I need your grace to flow through me so that others might be drawn to you, to freedom, and to wholeness.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen
Emails to God 