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This is the Will of God
John DangananBe subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people - 1 Peter 2:13-15
Once again the perspicuity of scripture is evident. Question: Do you want to know God’s will? Answer: This is the will of God, that by doing good i.e. be subject/submit you silence the haters. God’s will concerning civil authority and governmental leader revolves around the “S-Bomb” of submission. Yielding to every human institution is difficult but we don’t do it for their sake but “for the Lord’s sake”. In other words, our motive for submission is to do so as unto the Lord who, “suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” (2:21). 1 Cor. 13 makes it clear that wrong motives destroy good actions. Our motive is to honor and please our great God and Savior—we honor him by submitting to the leaders he placed over our lives.
Election season is here and the news footage of Christians protesting as maniacal, gun owning, separatists flood our tv screens. I’ve heard Christians even threatening to move to another country or plot out their plan of protest if another "godless politician" is elected. Yet God’s will is to do good by submitting whether it’s pagan government (2:13-17), pagan masters (2:18-25), or pagan husbands (3:1-6). Suffering is expected but we are to entrust ourselves to God. Settle it in my heart and resolve in my mind: Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor (v.17)
