There’s a word in the title up there that many of us don’t like. At all. But the Bible is very clear that there are times when we need to learn to submit ourselves to someone else. We can offer our lives by first submitting to God’s authority in everything that we do, but also by submitting to earthly authorities, even when we think we’re the ones in the right. Check out these words from 1 Peter 2:
Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
Granted – Paul is speaking directly to slave/master relationships which we don’t specifically see in our culture today (although there are some of you who read that might see them) – but if we think about submission between ourselves and someone in a position of authority over us, there are some great things to learn:
- Be in submission – even to someone who is unjust. Chew on that for a while.
- When we do good and suffer it is a gracious thing in the sight of God. When we do bad and suffer for it – that’s just the due penalty for our error, and there’s no room for complaint.
- We trust in the one who judges justly. What a sweet promise to know that even though we might be under unfair authority – God always knows our hearts and will judge justly forever.
Are you strugging with submitting to authorities who are in a position over you? Think on these words from 1 Peter throughout your day today.
