Honoring The King (1 Peter 2:13-17) Introduction: What difference does it make that you're a Christian? Christians aren't rebels who kick against the pricks of authority.
Context: Nero's imperial reign
Exposition: 1. For the Lord's sake (v. 13) To live under the authority of sinful man properly, we must be very, very conscious of God (see 1Cor 7:22-23). Luther, "A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all."
2. For the sake of ignorant and foolish men (v. 15) Men think nothing of dishonoring authority. And they'll assume that Christians will join in with their talk. It's easy to be swept along with the ignorant and foolish talk of the world. Shake them up, and silence their speech! Acts 23:5, "Then Paul said, 'I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'"
Clarifications 1. No human authority can force us to sin. "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).
2. Submitting to authority doesn't mean endorsing evil policy. "The people said to Saul, "Shall Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great deliverance in Israel? Certainly not!" (1Sam 14:45, e.g.).
Application
Westminster Larger Catechism, Q. 126-128
Conclusion "Christians should distinguish themselves among their fellow citizens for holding their leaders in the highest honor, despite even their most obvious character flaws, out of acknowledgement that they occupy their offices by the express appointment of God." (N. Trice, World, http://www.worldmag.com/webextra/14617) |