Let's move on in 1 Peter to 2:13-17 For the Lord's sake accept the authority of every human institution, whether of the emperor as supreme, or of governors, as sent by hi to punish those who do wrong and to raise those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor. This one is kind of tough to get through. It is this kind of passage from scripture that has led some to insist that people obey the powers of the day. The emperor, was no Mr. Nice Guy. He was the emperor - he was a god - people had to pay homage to the emperor. Like any imperial master, it would always be the way of the emperor and no other way. Maybe in this area of Asia Minor, the folks were simply left alone for the most part. Therefore, when the empire did do a bit of its flexing of its demands, the advice for those who wanted to go about life as they saw fit was to give a bit. It may also be a bit of wisdom. It may be saying stand up for what is good within the powers of the day. In that way, you will be seen as being supportive and not a subverting power. In that way, though you are a follower of Jesus - aliens and strangers - you will also be ones who are seen as peace-bearers. That is a quality any power would like to see - especially as the empire grows and faces decline. There must be the other side of this situation. If the powers are evil and act in a way that is quite contrary to the peaceable Reign of God - do we partake in being supportive of that evil power? Well it is not that we go along with their actions and make them our own. Rather we persistently love one another and never give up that life. That love extends to those around us and we will be known by our fruits - even when the environment around us becomes brutal and violent. Connection: Persistently love one another - and then again - even in the worst cases in which we live. That is the witness of the church. In the middle of what is so common, O God, continue to make us a living witness to the welfare of all and available to bring that life to light no matter what the powers of the day may be doing. Amen. |
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