The Motto of the Dominion of Canada is from:
Ps 72:8 May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth!
And we sing this every time we sing our National Anthem when we say:
"God keep our land, Glorious and free".
For the majority of Canadians today, the calling of virtue is classified as "Victorian" like the name of the Queen that we remember this weekend.
This week, a Toronto lawyer, Charles Roach, who wants to become a Canadian citizen, but refuses to swear allegiance to the Queen, has won a key battle in his effort to change Canada’s citizenship law. He was Born a British subject in Trinidad, coming to Canada in 1955. His desire is to become a Canadian citizen. He is currently a permanent resident. He is seeking damages of $5,000 for people, such as himself, who have refused to swear the oath, and for others who have sworn it under duress.
Mr. Justice Edward Belobaba, an Ontario judge, ruled this week that there is a plausible argument that this requirement [to swear the oath] violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms." "There is nothing in the Constitution Act that requires a Canadian oath of citizenship or that a new citizen must swear allegiance to the Queen," The oath "is simply the consequence of an ordinary federal law that can be amended or repealed by the federal government, or as here, can be the subject of a constitutional challenge," he wrote. The ruling means it can proceed as a possible class action. (Story by Joseph Brean from National Post, Thursday May 18, 2007).
For the audience of 1 Peter, allegiance to the sovereign seemed absurd. Peter wrote his epistle in the last few years of Emperor Nero’s wicked rule. Nero came to power in 54 A.D. at the age of seventeen and committed suicide fourteen years later. During the reign of this emperor, Nero blamed the Christians for burning Rome, so he could make way for his civic redesign plan, he fed Christians to lions in the Coliseum for sport, and dipped them in pitch, impaled them on poles, and lit them ablaze to illuminate his garden parties. Peter himself met martyrdom at his hand, outside Rome.
How do you find your attitude to those in authority, in this case political office? Today, we are rife with distain for authority. From teachers to police officers, from politicians to pastors, we exist in a time of increasing cynicism, distain and mocking of anyone in authority. As a result teachers face death threats and assaults, we require more and more police to manage violence, politicians face open mocking and pastors are often just regarded as ultimate hypocrites. Isn’t it interesting that the distain flows downward. Children see parents mock and ridicule those in authority and then those same parents find that their children fail to listen to them.
In this passage, full of imperatives, six elements of Christian submission to authority emerge: 1) the command for submission, 2) the motive for submission, 3) the extent of submission, 4) the reason for submission, 5) the attitude of submission, and the 6) application of submission.
1) THE COMMAND FOR SUBMISSION
1 Peter 2:13a [13]Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, (ESV)
Please turn to Acts 4
Although we are not ultimately under human authority, God still expects believers to submit to the human institutions He ordained. He wants them to demonstrate godly character qualities (cf. 2 Peter 1:5-7) and a genuine concern for society"a concern that seeks peace (3:11, cf. Ps. 34:14, Matt. 5:9, Rom. 14:19, James 3:18) and desires to prevent trouble and crime (cf. Rom. 12:14-21). To that end Christians are expected to obey all laws and respect all authority, unless called upon to do something God forbids or not do something He commands (Acts 4:19, 5:27-29).
Acts 4 speaks so clearly as to the nature of persecution, the impact of Good works and communal rejoicing:
Being arrested and put into custody (4:2) by the priests, the captain of the temple and the Sadducees (4:1)
Acts 4:13-21 [13]Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. [14]But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. [15]But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, [16]saying, "What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. [17]But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name." [18]So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. [19]But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, [20]for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." [21]And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. (ESV)
Acts 5:27-29 [27]And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, [28]saying, "We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us." [29]But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men. (ESV)
Illustration: In Corrie ten Boom’s book The Hiding Place, she describes the way in which her family became involved with hiding Jewish people who were "on the run" from the Nazis. Whey they first became engaged in this work of mercy, one of the people they had smuggled out of Haalem was a Jewish mother and her young baby. As a Dutch pastor from the countryside was visiting them at the time, they sought his counsel. Representing the confusion on obedience that many have, he said: "Miss ten Boom! I do hope you’re not involved with any of this illegal concealment and undercover business. It’s just not safe! Think of your father! and your sister-she’s never been strong!" In the film version of the book the minister tells Papa ten Boom and his daughters that Christians are required to obey all those who are placed over them. Papa replies "we will obey those who make the laws but not if they are against God’s higher law". (Corrie ten Boom, The Hiding Place, Hodder and Stoughton, 1971, p.97).
When those in authority give legitimate directives, God commands us to:
Peter 2:13a Be subject/submit yourselves is a military expression literally meaning "to arrange in formation under the commander, or "Sub", under the mission.
Proverbs 24:21-22 [21]My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise, [22]for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?
Submission to rulers is right because God appoints them, therefore there is no place for supporting rebels who might seek to overthrow the government.
Through the prophet Jeremiah, the Holy Spirit declared the following:
Jeremiah 29:7 [7]But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. (ESV)
Please turn to Romans 13
Although Jeremiah 29 was primarily a message to the Jews concerning their conduct while captives in Babylon, it has overtones for Christians, who should promote the welfare of their society and government while waiting for their eternal home (cf. John 14:2-3, Heb. 4:9-10, 11:13-16, Rev. 21:1-4).
Nearly a decade before Peter wrote his letter, the apostle Paul had already taught concerning submission to government:
Romans 13:1-2 [13:1]Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. [2]Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. (ESV)
-Keep Romans 13 bookmarked, for we will return to it.
Although Peter and Paul both lived in the openly sinful, decadent Roman Empire"a society infamous for evil (homosexuality, infanticide, government corruption, abuse of women, immorality, violence), neither apostle offered any exemption by which believers were free to defy civil authority. Jesus Himself had commanded:
Matthew 22:21 [21]They said, "Caesar’s." Then he said to them, "Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s." (ESV)
The biblical command is simple"be subject/submit to civil authority, regardless of its nature. Even unreasonable, evil, harsh rulers and oppressive systems are far better than anarchy. And all forms of government, from dictatorships to democracies, are filled with evil because they are led by fallen sinners. Still, civil authority is from God, though the individual rulers may be godless.
We have seen: 1) the command for submission and now:
2) THE MOTIVE FOR SUBMISSION
1 Peter 2:13b [13]Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, (ESV)
Peter stated the motivation for submitting to authority as clearly as he did the basic command to submit. It is for the Lord’s sake, making it obligatory to submit, as with all divinely inspired commands. Christians obey because they desire to honour the Lord (cf. Ps. 119:12-13, 33, Acts 13:48, 1 Cor. 10:31).
Believers actually obey earthly authority to honour God’s sovereign authority (cf. Pss. 2:8, 9:20, 22:28, 46:10, 47:8, 66:7, 72:11, 83:18, 96:10, 113:4).
Quote: Of God’s sovereignty over all human authority, Robert Culver wrote:
God alone has sovereign rights. Democratic theory is no less unscriptural than divine right monarchy. By whatever means men come to positions of rulership"by dynastic descent, aristocratic family connection, plutocratic material resources, or by democratic election, "there is no power but of God" (Rom. 13:1). Furthermore, civil government is an instrument, not an end. Men are proximate ends, but only God is ultimate end. The state owns neither its citizens nor their properties, minds, bodies, or children. All of these belong to their Creator-God, who has never given to the state rights of eminent domain. (A Biblical View of Civil Government [Chicago: Moody, 1974], 47)
Believers also submit in order to imitate Christ’s example of obedient submission to His Father.
Jesus showed us model behaviour:
1 Peter 2:23 [23]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. (ESV)
Christ lived under the unjust and unrighteous rule of the Jewish and Roman authorities, yet He never opposed their right to rule. He denounced the sins of the Jewish leaders (Matt. 16:11-12, 23:13-33), but He never sought to overturn their authority. Likewise, Jesus never led demonstrations against Roman slavery and abuse of justice or engaged in any act of civil disobedience. He did not object even when those authorities unjustly tried Him and crucified Him (Matt. 26:62-63, Mark 15:3-5, John 19:8-11). Instead of being preoccupied with political and social reform, Christ always focused on matters pertaining to His kingdom (Matt. 4:17, Mark 1:15, Luke 5:31-32, 19:10, Acts 1:3, cf. Matt. 11:28-30).
We have seen: 1) the command for submission 2) THE MOTIVE FOR SUBMISSION AND NOW:
3) THE EXTENT OF SUBMISSION
1 Peter 2:13-14c [13]Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, [14]or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. (ESV)
Go back to your bookmark in Romans 13
In reviewing the foundational and detailed teaching on believers’ responsibility to civil authority, one can see three essential purposes for government:
Romans 13:3-4 [3]For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, [4]for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. (ESV)
Those purposes"the restraint of evil, promotion of the public good, and punishment of wrongdoing"stemming from the overarching truth that God establishes all authority (Rom. 13:1), explain why Peter’s command extends to every human institution.
To maintain peace and order in society, God has ordained them all, thus to limit or make exception to the command to submit to every authority would condone disobedience and disrespect for God’s plan. (For a more complete, biblical analysis of government’s purpose, see chapter 3 of John MacArthur’s Why Government Can’t Save You [Nashville: Word, 2000].)
The Greek word ktisis ("foundation"), from which institution derives, always occurs in the New Testament in connection with God’s creative activities (cf. Rom. 1:20, 25, 8:39, 2 Cor. 5:17, Gal. 6:15, Col. 1:15, 23, 2 Peter 3:4). (In fact, the second lexical meaning generally given for ktisis is "the act of creating," or "creation.") God has created all the foundations of human society"work, family, and the government. Peter designated society human not as to its origin, but as to its function or sphere of operation. The apostle’s intent was therefore to command submission to every human institution because every one is God ordained.
Believers are commanded to submit to civil authorities, to employers (2:18, Eph. 6:5, Col. 3:22), and in the family (Eph. 5:21-6:2). In the latter two areas, the motive is also for the Lord’s sake (Eph. 5:22, 6:1, 5-6, Col. 3:18, 20, 22-24).
-We will continue to look at these situations next week.
That command does not exclude authorities who make bad or unjust decisions. The Old Testament acknowledges the existence of corrupt rulers (cf. Dan. 9:11-12, Mic. 7:2-3) but recognizes God has the prerogative to judge them. Despite the evil that occurs because authorities are fallen and institutions are imperfect, believers must trust that God still exercises sovereign and perfectly wise rule over societies and nations (cf. Gen. 18:25).
Peter elaborates on the extent of believers’ submission by noting that it applies to all levels of authority. Breaking authority down to specific categories, he speaks of the highest level: the emperor/King Obviously this recognizes the legitimacy of one-man rule as a form of God-ordained government. Monarchy, or its parallel, dictatorship, is a form God uses in the world.
Quote: Definitions of Political Systems
1. Communism: You have two cows. The government takes both of them and gives you part of the milk.
2. Socialism: You have two cows. The government takes one and gives it to your neighbor.
3. Fascism: You have two cows. The government takes both cows and sells you the milk.
4. Nazism: You have two cows. The government takes both cows, then shoots you.
5. Bureaucracy: You have two cows. The government takes both of them, shoots one, milks the other, then pours the milk down the drain.
6. Capitalism: You have two cows. You sell one of them and buy a bull.
7. In a democracy, everyone has two cows, then a vote is taken, and whatever the majority decides to do, you do, and that’s no bull!
Pulpit Helps, August, 1992, p. 8
Obedience to authority was especially a challenge for believers in Peter’s time to obey this part of the command because the emperor/king (caesar) was a deranged tyrant, the Roman emperor Nero. But even he was divinely ordained for his leadership role of carrying out the fundamental purposes of government.
QUOTE: Plato said: The penalty that good men pay for not being interested in politics is to be governed by men worse than themselves.
Governors is a term referring to a lower level of authority (cf. Luke 2:1-2, 3:1, Acts 7:10), officials under the king who might be sent by him.
The New Testament lists the names of three governors of Judea: Pilate, Feliz and Festus. These three governors were appointed by the Roman emperor and were directly responsible to him. They governed in behalf of Rome. Governors commissioned by the Roman senate served for a stated interval as "legates" or "procounsuls" like Quirinus (Luke 2:2), Sergius Paulus (Acts 13:6) and Gallio (Acts 18:21).
Please turn to Genesis 9
Peter echoed Paul when he said that ruling officials have been designed by God first to punish those who do evil. The responsibility for capital punishment (Gen. 9:5-6) is required for and reserved to government:
Genesis 9:5-6 [5]And for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man. From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man. [6]"Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.
Only the government has been given that right to bear the sword to punish lawbreakers (Rom. 13:4). Therefore believers must never engage in acts of vigilante justice.
People often confuse individual ethics with Governmental obligation and authority. Canada is a prime example of this confusion. You will often hear arguments based on individual commands of forgiveness and divine retribution, but it is the role of Government to bear the sword and punish evildoers. Christians have an obligation to remind government of its obligation, but in this country, it is the Christians who are often the most confused and contribute to the sinful neglect of Government by denouncing the death penalty.
The Church has often neglected to visit those in prison as commanded and minister to criminals giving both accountability and a picture of love and forgiveness. It is not government’s role to rehabilitate but the Church to minister.
On the other hand, God has appointed civil officials to praise those who do good. The authorities generally reward good citizenship with fair and favourable treatment (Rom. 13:3, cf. Gen. 39:2-4, 41:37-41, Prov. 14:35, Dan. 1:18-21). The role of government is clear"to create fear that restrains evil, punish those who do wrong, and protect those who do right.
POEM: G. K. Chesterton said:
O God of earth and altar,
Bow down and hear our cry,
Our earthly rulers falter,
Our people drift and die,
The walls of gold entomb us,
The swords of scorn divide,
Take not Thy thunder from us,
But take away our pride.
From all that terror teaches,
From lies of tongue and pen,
From all the easy speeches
That comfort cruel men,
From sale and profanation
Of honor and the sword,
From sleep and from damnation,
Deliver us, good Lord!
Tie in a living tether
The prince and priest and thrall,
Bind all our lives together,
Smite us and save us all,
In ire and exultation
Aflame with faith, and free,
Lift up a living nation,
A single sword to Thee.
We have seen: 1) the command for submission 2) THE MOTIVE FOR SUBMISSION 3) THE EXTENT OF SUBMISSION
4) THE REASON FOR SUBMISSION
1 Peter 2:15 [15]For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. (ESV)
The reason Christians ought to submit to every authority is quite clear and basic"such conduct stops the mouths of the gospel’s critics. It is the will of God for Christians to engage in doing good by respecting authority, so as to put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
Should/may indicates that at times regardless of the action, those who are rebellious and hard hearted may not respond positively to love or good will regardless to the degree.
The word rendered silence (phimoun) means "to restrain, muzzle, or make speechless" (cf. Matt. 22:12, 34, Mark 1:25, 4:39, Luke 4:35). It denotes the gagging or stopping of someone’s mouth so as to render that person incapable of response.
Please turn to Titus 3
The word Peter used for ignorance means more than merely a lack of knowledge. If that meaning were all he wanted to convey, he would have used a form of agnoia. But this indicates a willful, hostile rejection of the truth (cf. 1 Cor. 15:34). It is a settled lack of spiritual perception that the apostle further characterized as foolish. That term means "senseless, without reason," and may express a lack of mental sanity.
Integrity, impeccable moral fiber, and purity of life are all effective character tools to muzzle the enemies of Christianity. Paul commanded Titus to tell this to the new believers on Crete:
Titus 3:1-3 [3:1]Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, [2]to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. [3]For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. (ESV)
Such virtuous conduct and good citizenship is especially necessary for Elders of the Churc. One of the qualifications to be an elder is that the man:
1 Timothy 3:7 [7]Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. (ESV), cf. Titus 1:6).
That kind of unimpeachable testimony, even before those who reject the gospel, silences enemies and enables the saving power of Christ to be manifest.
Romans 12:21 [21]Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (ESV)
Some of the most destructive testimonies are from those who are in leadership that fall into the temptation of sin and bring the most public reproach to the name of Christ and the testimony of His saints. It is often the first thing that nonbelievers cite as the reason to reject Christianity.
We have seen: 1) the command for submission 2) THE MOTIVE FOR SUBMISSION 3) THE EXTENT OF SUBMISSION 4) THE REASON FOR SUBMISSION and now:
5) THE ATTITUDE OF SUBMISSION
1 Peter 2:16 [16]Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. (ESV)
The right attitude is imperative if submissive Christians are to maintain their credibility among unbelievers.
They display that right attitude when they live as people who are free. They must realize that, as a result of Christ’s redemptive work (cf. 1:18-19), they are free from sin’s condemnation (Rom. 6:7, 18, 8:1-2), the utter futility of trying to earn favour with God (Gal. 5:1-14) the Law’s penalty and our crushing burden of guilt (Gal. 3:13), Satan’s bondage (cf. Rom. 16:20, Col. 1:13, Heb. 2:14, 1 John 2:13, 4:4), the world’s control (cf. 1 Cor. 9:19, Gal. 4:3-5, 5:1, Col. 2:20), death’s power (Rom. 8:38-39, 1 Cor. 15:54-56).
But Peter cautions those who are free in Christ to live as not use that spiritual freedom as a cover-up for evil of not submitting to rulers (cf. 1 Cor. 8:9, 10:32, Gal. 5:13). Cover-up indicates placing a mask or veil over something, evil (kakias) is a term that means "baseness" and arises from vengeance, bitterness, hostility, and disobedience (Gen. 6:5, 8:21, Prov. 6:14, Isa. 13:11, Matt. 12:35, 15:19, John 3:19-20, 7:7, Rom. 1:29-30, Gal. 1:4).
Please turn to Romans 6
A truly righteous attitude will cause Christians to use their freedom as servants/bondslaves of God. Paul exhorted the Corinthians:
1 Corinthians 7:22 [22]For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ. (ESV)
Their freedom has delivered them from the bondage of serving sin into the privilege of being slaves of righteousness.
Romans 6:16-22 [16]Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? [17]But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, [18]and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. [19]I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. [20]For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. [21]But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. [22]But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. (ESV)
"Servant/Slave" (from the same word as bondslaves) defined the lowest level of servitude in the Greco-Roman world, yet for believers it described the joyous freedom to be servants of Christ and do what was right rather than what was wrong (cf. John 15:15, Gal. 5:13, Eph. 6:6, Titus 2:14). Freedom in Christ and citizenship in the kingdom of God in no way permit believers to abuse or disregard the standards of conduct God has established for them on earth.
We have seen: 1) the command for submission 2) THE MOTIVE FOR SUBMISSION 3) THE EXTENT OF SUBMISSION 4) THE REASON FOR SUBMISSION 5) THE ATTITUDE OF SUBMISSION AND FINALLY:
6) THE APPLICATION OF SUBMISSION
1 Peter 2:17 [17]Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. (ESV)
Peter summarized his demand for submission to all authority "his citizenship theology" into four practical, applicatory dimensions of life.
1) First, believers are to honor everyone. Every person was created in God’s image (Gen. 1:26, 9:6b, James 3:9b, cf. Ps. 100:3a) and therefore is due some degree of respect. In the first century, most people viewed slaves as nonpersons with no rights. But Peter told his readers they were not to treat anyone that way (cf. Col. 4:1). Christians are not to discriminate against any class of people because of race, nationality, or economic status (cf. Rom. 2:11, Eph. 6:8-9, James 2:1-9).
That does not mean they ignore different levels of authority and social structure or that they engage in a mindless tolerance for everyone’s conduct, but it does mean they show proper respect for everyone as individuals made in the image of God.
Non Christians often talk about tolerance but practice very little. You will hear the most virulent spewing hatred against anyone denouncing a conduct on a moral ground. It is appealing to the nature of God and his commands that we can have proper tolerance.
2) The second application is that believers love the brotherhood. They are to show the world that they love their fellow believers. The apostle John also wrote of this principle a number of times:
John 13:34-35 [34]A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. [35]By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (ESV), cf. 15:12, 1 Jn. 3:23, 4:7, 21, 5:1)
3) Third, believers are to fear God (Deut. 13:4, Ps. 111:10, Prov. 9:10, Eccl. 12:13, Heb. 12:9, 28, Rev. 15:4), which includes trusting Him in all circumstances (Ps. 36:7, Prov. 3:5, 14:26, 16:20, Isa. 26:4), no matter how difficult they are (cf. 5:7, Ps. 34:22, Prov. 29:25, Nah. 1:7, 2 Cor. 1:10, 2 Tim. 1:12). Christians must worship Him as the sovereign One (Matt. 6:33-34, Rom. 8:28, 11:33) who orchestrates everything according to His perfect will (1 Sam. 2:7-8, Ps. 145:9, Prov. 19:21). Such fear also encourages believers to submit to all earthly authorities, because they have the utmost respect for the One who has commanded them to do so.
4) Finally, believers are to honor the king, which brings the issue full circle, back to the basic command of verse 13. This application again echoes Paul’s teaching in Romans 13, particularly verse 7:
Romans 13:7 [7]Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honour is owed. (ESV)
As God’s agent for carrying out the purposes of government, the monarch, president, premier, or prime minister is worthy of the respect God mandates.
When believers obey the principles of this passage, it gives genuine credibility to their faith. Submission to civil authority is an implementation of what might be called "evangelistic citizenship," along the lines of Jesus’ declaration in the Sermon on the Mount:
Matthew 5:14-16 [14]"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. [15]Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. [16]In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (ESV)
