Read 1 Peter 2:13-17.

Introduction⤒🔗

During the reign of the communist regimes, the people of Eastern Europe were held captive under an awful political tyranny: there was no freedom of speech, no private ownership of businesses, no exchange of goods with the western nations. When those communist regimes were toppled, the people became free. Now they could engage in freedom of speech; now they could own their own businesses; and now they could receive goods from the western nations.

But some of those people tragically misused their freedom. Gaining the freedom to interact with the west, they imported pornography into their homeland. Gaining the freedom to own their own businesses, they began to sell the pornography they import from the west. Gaining the freedom of speech, they used it to advertise their pornography and to advocate their “right” to distribute such material to their fellow countrymen.¹ Amazingly, these people who have been brought into a state of freedom are now using that freedom to enslave their fellow citizens: exposing them to the seductive, addictive, and destructive influence of pornography. That is a terrible misuse of political, economic and personal freedom!

In 1 Peter 2:13-17, the Apostle Peter cautions us as Christians not to imitate such people by misusing our spiritual freedom. As spiritually free men, we must not use our freedom to engage in wickedness; on the contrary, we must use our freedom to serve God. Christ has brought us out of bondage and into a state of spiritual freedom for a godly purpose; namely, that we might serve God.

Serve God with Your Spiritual Freedom, in Your Personal Life←⤒🔗

Peter identifies the Christian   om from the tyranny and dominion of the devil. The Apostle John describes the whole world as lying in the clutches of the evil one: “We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one” (1 Jn. 5:19). The Apostle Paul describes the course of this world as being dictated by “the ruling prince of the air” [i.e. the devil], who is “the spirit who is now working in the sons of disobedience” (Eph. 2:1-2).

Our Lord Jesus’ ministry of exorcising demons was a demonstration of the fact that He alone is the Savior who can deliver us from the dominion of the devil. In our Lord’s parable of the strong man being overpowered by one who is stronger, Jesus is “the stronger one” who is able to overpower the “strong man,” (i.e. the devil): “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. ²²But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up the spoils” (Lk. 11:21-22).

Not only is the spiritual freedom of which Peter speaks a freedom from the tyranny and dominion of the devil, it is also a freedom from the accusations of the devil and the just condemnation of God. In Revelation 12:10 the devil is called “the accuser of our brothers...who accuses them before our God day and night.” But Revelation 12:10 goes onto report, “the accuser...has been hurled down,” (i.e. defeated and cast out). The Old Testament prophet Zechariah received a graphic picture of these things:

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest [Joshua the high priest is representing all of God’s people] standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him... ³Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. ⁴The angel said to those who were standing before him, Take off his filthy clothes. Then he said to Joshua, See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you. Zech. 3:1-4

By the person and work of Jesus the Messiah, the Christian has received the forgiveness of his sins, with Jesus Himself making atonement for his sins, and the Christian has been clothed with Christ’s pure righteousness. Thus, the Christian is able to stand before the throne of God and be accepted by God the Father into His heavenly kingdom of righteousness.

The Apostle Paul testifies concerning our Lord’s victory won at the cross of Calvary:

He forgave us all our sins, ¹⁴having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by [the cross].Col. 2:13b-15

But Peter now informs us that we are not to view this freedom “as a pretext for evil” (vs. 16). We are not to view our spiritual freedom as providing a covering that shields us from the judgment of God and allows us to continue to engage in wrongdoing without fear of consequences. According to Proverbs 14:9a, “Fools make a mockery of a trespass offering.” A fool thinks that the presentation of a sacrifice to God, (“a trespass offering”), will not only atone for his guilt, but will also permit him to continue in his wrongdoing without fear of just retribution at the hands of the LORD. The fool views the sacrifice of Christ as a cheap source of security: a shield that protects him from punishment and a license that permits him to practice sin without fear of suffering the consequence of judgment.

The fool fails to appreciate the fact that the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ is a most sacred act whereby Christ paid the awful price of sin in order to redeem the believer from the punishment of his sins and to save him for a life of obedience to God: “our Savior Jesus Christ...gave himself for us, so that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people for his own possession, [a people] zealous for good works” (Titus 2:13-14). When the fool misinterprets and abuses the sacred sacrifice of Christ, he will find that that sacrifice will mock him. Proverbs 14:9a may also be read, “A trespass offering mocks a fool.” In other words, because he has made a mockery of Christ’s sacred sacrifice, God will mock him: God will finally reject him with contempt.

Peter reminds us that as Christians we have been made free (from sin) in order to become obedient to God. Peter equates spiritual freedom with being “servants of God.” In verse 16 he writes, “Live as free men, but not using this freedom as a pretext for evil, rather, using it as servants of God.”

We must serve God in our state of spiritual freedom, by submitting ourselves to His will:

¹²...do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. ¹³Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness; ¹⁴for sin shall not have dominion over you. Rom. 6:12-14a

Serve God with Your Spiritual Freedom, in Your Public Life←⤒🔗

¹⁴or to governors as those appointed by him to punish evildoers and to commend those who do what is right” (vs. 13-14). Thus, as Christians, we are to be subject to every divinely-ordained earthly authority; we are commanded to be law-abiding citizens within the society in which we find ourselves.

Peter addresses his epistle to “those who have been chosen [by God] and who are refugees of the Dispersion, residing in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (1 Pet. 1:1). Based on the designation found in the greeting of his epistle, perhaps these Christian people were of the opinion that, because they were spiritual “refugees” whose citizenship is in heaven (cf. Phil. 3:20), they were under no obligation to obey any man-run system of government that belongs to this present world.

We must recognize that as Christians we have a dual citizenship. Paul, indeed, reminded the Philippian Christians, “our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20). But while at Philippi, Paul appealed to his Roman citizenship and demanded justice when he and Silas had been unjustly beaten and cast into prison: “Paul said to the officers: They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out!” (Acts 16:37)

We must not withdraw from participation in society and from our civic duties. It was at least partly due to Christians withdrawing from public life that caused a vacuum to be created in American society, a vacuum that was subsequently filled by those who advocate a humanistic social policy.

Nor must we set ourselves against the civil authorities as adversaries who intentionally seek to disrupt the society. Such conduct not only fails to respect the God-given position of the civil magistrate, it also gives him cause to view the church as an enemy of the State. Note the Apostle Paul’s exhortation concerning obedience to the civil authorities:

¹Everyone 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... ⁷Render to everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Rom. 13:1,7

For the sake of Christ, we are called to lead lives as law-abiding citizens. The Christian church of the first century was falsely accused of advocating lawlessness, of being a disturber of the peace and a disruptive force in society, because they professed that Jesus Christ is Lord, and refused to accept the absolute lordship of Caesar. Although we must uncompromisingly acknowledge and confess that Christ is Lord over all, we must not unnecessarily incite the civil authorities against the church; rather, we are to “silence the foolishness of ignorant men by doing what is right” (1 Pet. 2:15b), by being law-abiding citizens.

But we must first and foremost be God-fearing citizens. Peter is not counseling us to compromise our Christian faith or to deny either the absolute authority of Christ or our absolute allegiance to Him. Peter exhorts us as “servants of God” to first and foremost “fear God,” and then to “honor the king” (vs. 16-17). As Christians, we must obey the laws of the State that are in harmony with the moral law of God and not in conflict with the divine law. But we must protest against the State when it enacts policies and laws that violate the moral law of God.

This raises the question, “On what occasions should the Christian protest against the civil authorities?” First, a Christian must protest when the civil authorities forget or reject the fact that their authority is derived from God, not from themselves or from the people. Jesus testified before Pilate: “You would have no authority against me, unless it had been given to you from above” (Jn. 19:11a). As noted previously, the Apostle Paul asserts, “there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God” (Rom. 13:1).

Second, a Christian must protest against the civil authorities when those authorities violate the moral law of God. Consider Daniel’s counsel to King Nebuchadnezzar that he govern in accordance with the divine standard of righteousness and mercy: “Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my counsel. Renounce your sins by doing what is right; and your iniquities, by showing mercy to the poor. By so doing, you may possibly continue in your honorable state” (Dan. 4:27).

Third, a Christian must protest against the civil authorities when the civil authorities require us to obey their dictates at the expense of the law of God and the gospel of Christ. Consider the apostles’ response to the authorities when they sought to silence the witness of the early church:

We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, he said. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood. ²⁹Peter and the other apostles replied: We must obey God rather than men! Acts 5:28-29

What forms should Christian protest take? Christian protest may take the form of calling the civil authorities to accountability by reminding them of their office as God’s servants: “[the civil magistrate] is God’s servant to you for good” (Rom. 13:4a), and confronting them with their offense against God’s moral law, (as did Daniel with Nebuchadnezzar, recorded in Daniel 4:27 and noted above). When necessary, Christian protest may take the form of refusing to obey the civil authorities when they require us to disobey God, (as did the apostles; note, again, Acts 5:28-29 quoted above).

We must serve God in our state of spiritual freedom, by being God-fearing, law-abiding citizens.

Conclusion←⤒🔗

We must remember that Christ has brought us into a state of spiritual freedom for a godly purpose. We must not misuse that freedom to engage in personal wrongdoing or to instigate social turmoil. We must use our spiritual freedom to serve God: in our private lives and in our public lives as God-fearing citizens of the society in which we find ourselves.

Discussion Questions←⤒🔗

1. What does the Apostle Peter exhort Christians to do as we live in society? See 1 Pet. 2:13a. How does Peter define these “human authorities,” of whom is he speaking? See 1 Pet. 2:13b-14. Who has ordained these authorities; from whom do they derive their authority? See Rom. 13:1/Dan. 2:21b. As Christians, is not our compliance with just law part of our obedience to the LORD our God? Do we thank God for the civil authorities; without them, would not anarchy prevail?

Submit to every human authority for the Lord’s sake; whether to the king as the supreme [human authority], ¹⁴or to governors as those appointed by him to punish evildoers and to commend those who do what is right. 1 Pet. 2:13-14

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Rom. 13:1

 ...(God) deposes kings and establishes kings... Dan. 2:21b

2. What does the Apostle Paul exhort Christians to do with regard to the civil authorities; and for what reason? See 1 Tim. 2:1-2. What are some specific petitions we should offer up to God concerning the civil authorities? Note Prov. 16:12/29:4; Prov. 20:28; Prov. 28:16. How should we pray for a secular State that has denied its accountability to God and has become a law unto itself? See Psl. 119:126; note, again, Dan. 2:21b,

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— ²for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 1 Tim. 2:1-2

It is detestable for kings to commit wickedness, because the throne is established by righteousness. Prov. 16:12

By justice a king gives stability to a country, but he who extorts bribes overthrows it. Prov. 29:4

Kindness and truth preserve the king; indeed, his throne is upheld by kindness. Prov. 20:28

The ruler who lacks understanding is also a great oppressor; but he who hates covetousness will prolong his days. Prov. 28:16

It is time for the LORD to work, for they have made your law void. Psl. 119:126

3. How has the Apostle Peter identified the Christian people to whom he is writing? See 1 Pet. 1:1. Of what does the Apostle Paul inform Christians? See Phil. 3:20. Might our spiritual identity cause us to think that we are no longer accountable to the civil authorities, especially in a totally secular society? Although, as a Christian, Paul’s citizenship is in heaven, how else does he describe himself? See Acts 21:39/Acts 16:37. Recognizing that all civil government is ordained by God, how are we to conduct ourselves while living under their authority, and why? See 1 Pet. 2:15,

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have been chosen [by God] and who are refugees of the Dispersion, [residing] in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia... 1 Pet. 1:1

...our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. Phil. 3:20

Paul said, 'I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city...' Acts 21:39

Paul said to the officers: They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out! Acts 16:37

While at Philippi, Paul appealed to his Roman citizenship and demanded justice when he and Silas had been unjustly beaten and cast into prison.

[Submit to all such authority] because this is the will of God. Silence the foolishness of ignorant men by doing what is right. 1 Pet. 2:15

4. As Christians, under what circumstances must we not obey the civil authorities? Note Acts 5:28­-29. Does this apply only to governmental efforts to silence our gospel witness; does it not apply as well to any demand for compliance with a law that would cause us to violate the moral law of God? Besides non-compliance, what other forms of legitimate resistance is there? Note Dan. 4:27; Jn. 19:11a,

We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, he said. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood. ²⁹Peter and the other apostles replied: We must obey God rather than men! Acts 5:28-29

In responding to the Jewish authorities, Peter uses the general commandment given to every Christian, “we must obey God,” rather than the specific commission given to the apostles to preach the gospel.

Daniel urged King Nebuchadnezzar:

Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my counsel. Renounce your sins by doing what is right; and your iniquities, by showing mercy to the poor. By so doing, you may possibly continue in your honorable state. Dan. 4:27

The Lord Jesus informed Pilate from where his authority was derived, and, by implication, to whom he was responsible:

You would have no authority against me, unless it had been given to you from above. Jn. 19:11a

5. In summary, what general exhortations does Peter give to Christians? See 1 Pet. 2:17. Do we, as Christians, seek to “respect all men”? Note 1 Pet. 3:9a; Rom. 12:21; Prov. 3:3-4. With regard to God and the king (i.e. the State) respectively, what is the priority and what is it that we owe to each? If we invert the two, do we not do so to the peril of our soul? See Rom. 10:9/Mk. 12:17,

Respect all men; love the brotherhood Hof believers]; fear God; honor the king. 1 Pet. 2:17

Do not repay evil for evil or insult for insult... 1 Pet. 3:9

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Rom. 12:21

Do not let kindness and integrity forsake you, tie them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart; ⁴then you will find favor and a good reputation in the sight of God and man. Prov. 3:3-4

...if you shall confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved... Rom. 10:9

This public profession would be in direct conflict with the public profession that was expected of its citizens by the Imperial Roman Government.

Jesus said to them, Give to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar, and give to God the things that belong to God. Mk. 12:17