Glorifying God is our purpose in life. It should be displayed in all avenues and area of life. Our reactions and relationships with authorities are direct views of how we feel about glorifying God.
here is a picture of my little girl Emma and her older cousin K.C. just before they Glorified God with their obedience to Baptism...Praise God for this picture...may all our little ones live for HIM.
I Peter 2.13-25
13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 2:14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 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. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 2:14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 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. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
We are to Glorify God in our public life.
I. Submission vs13-15
As said above we are be in submission to the authorities because it is the will of God. The American Christian says no to this...he even links with those who may help him obtain rights that the Christian "needs". We are to submit. When we rebel it is a reflection of our poor relationship with God. This trickles down to every level of authority, from presidents, police, preachers, and parents. Submission is also a witness to a lost world. Submission is also our calling. Verses 13-15 display the principle of submission profoundly.
II. Freedom vs 16-17
Now freedom is something we can talk about right? We all want to be free. As Christ followers do we live in freedom? Or freedom can and should Glorify God. Many of us live in the world of legalism. Living by a set of rules that govern our every move. Yet many also live in a state of liberalism. These folks use the grace of God as a "go ahead" to do and live as you want. Holiness is not important in liberalism. So many of us live in one of these two. We must live as FREE people. This means that our freedom is from God and his grace not form OUR rules. Yet free people are not bound to proving their freedom by lascivious living. We are free to Glorify HIS Name. We are not bound to sin, death, darkness. But we have been awakened by this marvelous light. FLEE the chains Christian...Glorify God with your freedom.
III. Suffering vs18-25
Suffering is done through service to others. This verse makes concrete that our rights are a blessing not a need. Even in hard times SERVE. Suffering happens through sorrows. When we face sorrows for Christ this suffering Glorifies HIM. As Paul said may we know the fellowship of his sufferings. Oh how we dodge suffering to be comfortable.....notice the account of Christ suffering in this text...did HE dodge it...did he look for revenge..did take the sword...no he was like a LAMB Lead to the slaughter. Through his sufferings Christ Glorified God like no other ever has or ever will. Now may we accept our sufferings so that we may Glorify our father.
Don't waste your life on the rotten corrupted world. Do not let the system of corruption infiltrate your life and drown your life. Oh dear brothers and sisters may we engage our life and bring him Glory!!!!!!! HE is Worthy HE is worthy he is worthy...THE SINGS MY SOUL, MY SAVIOR GOD TO THEE...HOW GREAT THOU ART, HOW GREAT THOU ART.
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