Peter's admonition in 1 Peter 2:13-17 to "honor the king" is based on the foundational principle of submission. Submission IS the hallmark of a Christian's life and is displayed in every aspect of life, including our relationship to government. IN verse 16 Peter says we are to submit as FREE men - not politically or civilly free, but spiritually free in Christ, which is an entirely different freedom. Instead of claiming our rights as citizens, we are free to sacrifice and give up our rights in order to accomplish WHAT is right for the benefit of others. How that plays out in a larger scope, Peter defines in verse 17: honor all men, love the brethren, fear the Lord, and honor the king. What is missing from that application is to FEAR the king. While we should fear God, we should NEVER fear governments, even though we are commanded to submit to them as God's will for our lives. Therefore, our motivation in obeying governmental authorities stems not from fear of punishment or retribution, but from a desire to serve the One who ordained those authorities in the first place. |
