*image courtesy of ugaldew at www.sxc.hu
1 Peter 2:13-17 tells us "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, 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 men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king."
Today, I went through the books of Esther and Habakkuk (Yeah, that's a book of the Bible, look it up.). "But," you say, "you just quoted 1 Peter!"
Yes, yes I did.
The Bible is an integrated, consistent, whole. In 1 Peter we are told that submission to authority is a must forbelievers. In Esther and Habakkuk, we see shining examples of this. If you never have, I'd recommend going and reading these two short books for yourself before you read further. I'll be discussing them both as though the general outline of both is already understood.
Habakkuk was a prophet who called out to God, calling His attention to the wicked ways of his people and asking for Him to do something about it. God responds by saying that He will raise up the Babylonians to punish the Israelites. Habakkuk responds in disbelief, saying that the Babylonians are too wicked to be used of God. He asks God how this can be, and then he waits. He earnestly seeks God answer, and he receives one! Though he doesn't understand everything God is doing, he has decided to trust himself into God's plan and authority.
In Esther, we see a woman who is constantly having to decide whether she will do her own thing, or obey the authority God has placed over her. Mordecai tells her not to reveal her heritage as a Jew. He has done this, most likely for her protection. Rather than being a brash young person, she obeys the wisdom of her elder. Later in the story, this proves to be a key element in the salvation of the Jews. It is her hidden ethnicity that ruins Haman.
When it was Esther's turn to go to the king, she had a choice to make. Each girl was allowed to take whatever she wished with her. Esther chose to follow the advice of Hegai, one of the king's eunuchs who had been placed in charge of her. Who would know the king better, one of his long-time servants, or a young girl who had just entered the palace a year ago? She submitted herself to the authority placed over her, even preferring his wisdom to her own.
Later in the story, Mordecai urges Esther to intercede before the king on behalf of the Jewish people. In this interchange, we see her recognizing and submitting to two authorities. First, she recognizes the penalty for breaking the king's law about approaching his throne un-summoned. But, dangerous as this is, she submits to the authority of Mordecai and agrees to try. There is, or course, the element of self-sacrifice that is always celebrated in this story. But don't forget that part of this is the continuation of the habit of being under authority and submitting to and obeying it.
As Christians, we should have the highest standards of integrity, and the best reputations as those who obey authority.
This is so counter-cultural.
It's almost un-American. We are a country founded on rebellion. I may catch some flack for this, but the fundamental principle of our nation's government is one of revolt against authority. Originally, this was a revolt against authority that was seen as being tyrannical, but it has morphed into so much more. It has been perverted to the point where anytime we disagree with authority, we feel we are not only permitted, but almost duty bound to rise up and throw off the shackles of oppression. I'm not downing our country, I'm trying to expose a satanic tendency and mindset in our culture that says "No!" to authority whenever it can justify it.
Christians are called to submit to authority. Whether this be federal, state, or local government, our boss, our parents, our pastors, our committee chairperson, our coach, our spouse, and even the brotherhood. Peter tells us to love the brotherhood of believers (the church), fear God, and honor the king (the government). Paul tells us in Philippians 2:3-4 that we are to consider others (specifically in the church) as better than ourselves and look to their needs first. Ephesians 5:21 tells us to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
If I view myself through the lens of Scripture, I will see that I don't have it all figured out and I am not perfect. I may find that, perhaps, I'm not as smart as I think I am, and that I could stand to listen a little more and talk a little less. I might just submit myself to those God has placed in authority, and not assume that I'm right and they're wrong.
God help me to do just that!
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