This past Sunday, Kerry did a great job of covering the section in I Peter 2 with related passages, on how servants are to relate to their masters. The subject of submission to authority can be difficult for all of us. The Scriptures identify four basic earthly realms of authority where obedience is instructed: government (I Peter 2:13-17), church (Hebrews 13:7, 17), family (Ephesians 5:22-24, Ephesians 6:1), and masters (I Peter 2:18-20).
As we respond to God’s instruction of submission, He uses us to have a profound Gospel influence on others, and God is glorified. One of the clearest illustrations of this is found in I Peter 3:1 – “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.” We actually adorn the doctrine of God by our obedience and respect. “Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.” (Titus 2:19-10)
Conversely, when we refuse to submit (apart from situations where we must obey God rather than man – Acts 5:29), we blaspheme the name of God, His doctrine, and His Word: “Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed.” (I Timothy 6:1) The older women are to “admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.” (Titus 2:4-5)
Finally, a key example of the proper response to authority, especially under very difficult circumstances, is found in Daniel 1-3. I’ll let you read this for yourself and see what I mean. May we cry out to God for His help in this area so that His Word is adorned and His name glorified!