An Unpopular Message

1 Peter 2:13-14 says, “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.”

This is a tough passage to digest for independent thinkers. Many kings, presidents, governors and other government officials have been notorious for dishonesty, as well as harshness and injustices toward citizens and subjects.


The Emperor had unjustly exiled many of the people to whom Peter addresses from Rome. I imagine that they had feelings toward government that we all have had, only worse. Have you ever complained about a speed trap? Are your taxes too high? There is always some thing to gripe about concerning the civil authority. Here Peter is saying that it is sometimes the will of God that we are brought before government officials and punished even though we are innocent. This is such an appalling thought to the natural man. I include my natural man in that statement. The last thing in the world I want is to be accused of a crime I did not commit and to be paraded publicly in handcuffs in front of TV cameras on the 6 o’clock news.

Imagine how Joseph felt when his brothers sold him into slavery, and when his master’s wife accused him of rape. What about Jeremiah who was put into a well to die because he simply proclaimed God’s decree? Then there were Stephen, James, Paul, Peter and others who all eventually were executed though they lived righteous lives. But the ultimate injustice was the torture and execution of the Righteous One, Jesus Christ, Who, “suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1Peter 3:18).

The goal in any suffering that we have is to witness to the power of a life that has been changed by the love of God. Injustice was and is still rampant. When it happens to Christians they are to seize the opportunity as the apostle Paul did and let their “light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). This is the purpose of our suffering.

Lord help us to walk in a way that will glorify you in every opportunity that presents itself, and may our lives be a witness of your love, drawing others, Christians and non-Christians to faith in You.