Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority:
whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to
governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend
those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should
silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as
free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s
slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of
believers, fear God, honor the emperor. 1 Peter 2:13-17
Jesus,
Peter, Paul and the first Christians lived under the horribly oppressive
government of Rome. They hated the Jews
in Jerusalem. Rome beat, abused and
crucified them routinely. In fact, the
Romans killed Jesus, so even innocent people died.
During
this time, Peter wrote and said Christians must submit to the government
authorities, the emperor even (like Nero) or the governors (like Pontius
Pilate). The goal is for the government
to find no wrong in Christians but to appreciate them for being peaceful, kind,
tax-paying citizens. That’s what they
respond to.
If
Christians live free, truly separated from the need to make this world and this
government like heaven (it will never be), then they won’t be burdened by the
affairs of politics.
Christians
must show respect and honor to those in power.
However, history has shown that Christians can make a difference
standing up to racism, slavery and the abuse of silent victims (like sex
trafficking). Christians can oppose the
government for positive, godly change, but they must do so respectfully and
honorably, following the rules.