Submission and Respect
The way this lesson hits you may depend on your reaction to a uniform or the word “supervisor” emblazoned on a jacket. Personally, I am comforted by the appearance of an authority figure and consider most SOPs as BFFs. This morning, on my way to my first experience as a potential juror for the great state of Washington, our bus driver took a wrong ramp and we ended up in a narrow tunnel with no obvious turnaround opportunity. Suggestions and pleas from the passengers were quick to be offered, but no decisive action was taken until the metro supervisor in an orange vest magically appeared and climbed on board. Someone had given clearance for something and progress was made. I watched with some interest the various interactions with our crestfallen bus driver as commuters exited the vehicle. Not all were pleasant. The woman behind me, however, encouraged the driver by saying, “tomorrow will be a better day”. Authority had rescued us and respect ruled the day. A happy ending was had by all.
The concepts of submission to authority and respect are discussed by one of the earliest New Testament writers, the apostle Peter, who elaborates on these ideas in one of his letters to the first century church. Take a look at how he makes his case:
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
18 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. 19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
3 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. (1 Peter 2:13 – 3:2)
Peter gives us a nice overview of his topic in the first verse of this passage: submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority. We don’t get to pick and choose which authorities we submit to, and we’re doing it for Jesus. Then he gets more specific in mentioning government offices, slave masters and spouses. And right in the middle of his human examples that anyone back in the day or today could relate to, he drops in Jesus.
Why submit? Peter is not the only New Testament writer to exhort followers of Christ to submit to authority. Paul tells the Christians in Rome that “everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” (Romans 13:1-2) God is a God of order and of images. Just the like tabernacle and the temple were images of deeper spiritual concepts, so is earthly authority a means for God to communicate His own sovereignty and power in our lives. And in case we think it was easier in biblical times to submit to the government, remember that Christians were imprisoned, persecuted, and killed for their faith under Roman rule after Jesus’ death and resurrection. The authorities that Peter and Paul told Christ followers to obey were often cruel and unfairly biased against their faith. But submission to authority is a crucial tenet of one who follows Christ. Peter’s letter tells his readers that by being good citizens they will keep foolish people from saying ignorant things about them and the God they follow (1 Peter 2:15). Jesus also told his followers that people would see their good deeds and give glory to God (Matthew 5:16). Submission to earthly authority reveals the character of one who follows God, the ultimate authority.
How is it possible? This is key to understanding and succeeding. Peter places the emphasis of example and resource for this difficult undertaking with Jesus alone. We are called to submit under trying circumstances because Jesus set an example. And his example was twofold – He showed us what it looks like (he committed no sin; he did not retaliate; he made no threats) as well as where it comes from (he entrusted himself to him who judges justly). Therefore Jesus is central to seeing submission with respect and He is the power by which it is possible to live that way. Submitting to authority with respect, especially when we don’t agree with or support the source of authority, is only possible by looking to Jesus and relying on Him for strength.
What does it look like? Practically speaking, there are myriad manifestations of this concept. Peter gives us examples of government, employment and marriage. The idea of a governor (mayor, president) or boss having authority over us isn’t very controversial. The ones who make and enforce the rules and have the power are considered authorities. And whether you’re grinding your teeth because of the outcome of the most recent election or you were counting down the days until the end of the previous administration, we have all had a taste of chafing under a government we don’t agree with. And many of us have labored under less than ideal employment situations, as well. Yes, we toe the line when asked to do so. Yes, we obey the law. But we reveal much about our attitudes and character by how we react to what we perceive to be unfair policies or treatment by those in authority over us. Disagreement is ok. Disrespect is not. Among peers as well as in or under positions of authority, God calls us to answer everyone with respect and gentleness (1 Peter 3:15). Jesus modeled the perfect combination of submission with respect by being sure of his calling and clinging to his Creator. We are all made in God’s image – even those with whom we disagree. So when we find ourselves on opposite sides of political, social or philosophical fences, we are still called to follow Jesus’ example and entrust ourselves (as well as the outcome of our conversations and relationships) to him who judges justly.
What about submission in marriage? This topic is a little like apostrophes: sprinkling it around without understanding it causes more confusion than taking the time to understand it and put it into practice properly. (Apostrophes are one of my major grammatical pet peeves; don’t get me started…) And don’t even think we’re going to cover all the implications here. The one thing we can take from this passage is part of the first verse of chapter 3: in the same way… What way is that? The way of the previous verses, which describe Jesus’ example of entrusting himself to him who judges justly. Submission in any context is only possible by keeping our eyes on Jesus. Whether or not we are in complete agreement with a spouse or a boss or a government, we are called to submit with respect and that requires that I lay my prejudices, agendas, and timing aside to see people the way God does. And to trust Him with my circumstances. Even when I don’t see eye to eye with the authority over me, I can trust that God loves me and will work things out for my good and for His glory. And I am only responsible for my behavior and attitudes. When I’ve mastered those and can no longer find fault with the way I treat others, then I can start worrying about their behaviors.
Our reactions to people and circumstances in our lives that rub us the wrong way show the world what it’s like to live by God’s standards. How did Jesus not retaliate against the men who beat and mocked him? How did he bear the physical and spiritual pain of the crucifixion and separation from God for the sake of people who insulted and injured him? By trusting His Father. He himself bore our sins so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness. Submitting to and respecting those in authority is possible because Jesus lives in us. We choose respect and submission in relationships and we can only do that by looking to Jesus.
• How do you view authority? Are you like a golden retriever who rolls over and submits to anyone bigger than you? Or are you more like a wild horse who refuses to allow the bit in her mouth or a saddle on her back? Maybe somewhere in between? What past experiences or ideas lead you to view authority the way you do? Is it a biblical view? Ask God to show you His truth in this area.
• Is there someone in authority with whom you have a grievance? Are you treating him or her with respect? How can you be praying for a better outcome to your situation?
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