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.

Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 1 Peter 2:13, 14, 17, 18

Surrender

– Devotions in the Letters from Peter

I’m the first to turn rebellious when Peter or Paul tells his audience to submit to authorities, for wives to submit to husbands, or for slaves to submit to evil treatment.  I want to rebel for them!

But what is Peter really trying to say?  Peter says we’re to live Christian righteously, so that whether we’re rewarded or punished for our righteousness, we’ve honored God and God honors us.

There are times when I must lead; there are times when I must submit; there are times when I must work as the slave (doing works that I don’t like doing, with no visible reward).  If I lead, I lead like Jesus.  If I’m compelled to submit, I surrender as Jesus surrendered to authority.  When I’m a slave, I do the best I can to be the slave I imagine Christ would have me be.

We aren’t called to fairness; we’re called to righteousness.  We’re called to generosity from whatever our current state, even from a state of poverty.  Can you do Christian righteously?  Can you do Christian humbly?

Invitation to pray: I surrender all; I surrender all.  All to thee, my precious savior, I surrender all.  Amen.