Now there’s a word that can rub us the wrong way! Our reaction to “submit” can sound too much like “No one’s gonna tell me what to do.” Well, read on, because Peter has in mind several kinds of people we need to – gulp – submit to, starting with government.
He doesn’t say “it’s usually a good idea to…” or “you might want to….” He just walks up to you, jabs his finger in your chest and demands, “Submit.” At least it can sound that way. But there is another sense to this concept of submission. One that was modeled by Jesus.
No person, no power, no authority compelled him to submit to the will of the Father. Or to the religious leaders. Or to Rome. Or to Death, for that matter. He chose the path of submission.
Why? Because it was what God wanted. And to follow the will of God is what is desired of us, too: “that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.” (1 Peter 2:15)
Earthly power and authority is set up by God (though they do not always acknowledge it). Their purpose is to punish evildoers and praise those that do well. But, if they disregard the will of God, our submission belongs to God first.
1 Peter 2:13-17
Copyright 2018 David J. Cooley