Submission to Authority

Transcription

1 Submission to Authority 1 Peter 2: Lesson 6 Until DNA testing was perfected, there were far too many cases where people suffered for being wrongfully accused. Once DNA testing was reliable and allowed to be presented as evidence in criminal cases, one thing that resulted was the release of prisoners who were actually innocent. A judge or jury had convicted them at one time, but later when their DNA was compared, they were found to have been unjustly blamed for a crime they did not commit. How terrible! We would never wish that kind of experience on anyone. Yet, in a sense, that s what our portion of scripture addresses this week. There are times when we, as Christians, are wrongfully treated not as criminals facing a judge but perhaps as an employee facing her employer. What should we do? How should we respond? Peter tells us that Christ left us an example of what to do in these very situations and we are to follow in His steps. Jesus endured unjust punishment and He submitted to it. Today, we may not have masters over us as in Roman times, but there are many people in positions of power to whom we must submit. Not all bosses or authority figures are kind and easy to work for. Some are harsh, demanding and outright unfair. Our natural tendency is to demand our rights and fight back in these situations. But, that is not what the Lord is requiring of us. We are told to submit even when our bosses are unreasonable and unfair because the unsaved world is watching us! We are never more like Jesus than when we remain godly and submit in times of suffering. It is one thing when we deserve the treatment we are getting, but it is entirely different when we do not deserve the injustice. Left on our own, everything within us screams, Impossible! I can t endure this ill treatment! But, remember we have not been left alone. God has given us His Spirit and He enables us to submit. When we submit and obey, we are following Christ s example. As we walk in His steps, we can be assured that He is walking with us and He will work out our circumstances for good and for His glory.

2 Open your Bible and begin with a word of prayer This Week s Scripture: 1 Peter 2:18-25 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth ; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. NKJV This Week s Memory Verse: For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 1 Peter 2:19 1. This week, our scripture addresses the relationship between what we could liken to employees and employers or between the people and governing authorities. Verse 18 states that we are to be submissive to our employers or rulers with all fear. Another word to define fear would be respect. We are to respect those for whom we work. Read verses and answer the following questions. a. What type of employers or rulers are we to submit to? b. Why are we to submit and respect them? 2. Submission can be a very difficult thing for us and often goes against our very nature. Look up the following verses and note what they say about submitting to authority. 2

3 a. Romans 13:1-4: b. Ephesians 6:5-8: 3. Verse 20 of this week s scripture then begins to expound on this submission. Basically, this verse is saying that if we are punished or perhaps fired from our job because we are a bad worker, then we deserve it. However, if we are punished in spite of the fact that we are good workers, we are not to compromise our Christ-like reputation by acting unseemingly. How do the following verses say to handle these types of situations? a. Matthew 5:41-48: b. Luke 6:27-31: c. Romans 12:17-21: d. Which of the above passages ministers to you the most and why? 3

4 If the praise of others elates me and their blame depresses me; if I cannot rest under misunderstanding without defending myself; if I love to be loved more than to love, to be served more than to serve, then I know nothing of Calvary love. Amy Carmichael ( ) 4. No one likes to be persecuted for doing good in this world. However, according to verses 21-24, we will suffer persecution because we follow Jesus Christ and He suffered greatly. Peter, the writer of this book, had the right attitude about suffering for the Lord. Read the account of his trial in Acts 5:26-42 and note the actions and attitudes the apostle had in this situation. a. How about you? If you were faced with the same situation, how would you respond? 5. Verse 25 of this week s scripture states, For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. In other words, we were all once sinners in need of grace and a Savior. What does Isaiah 53:6 say about lost sheep and how do you think we can keep from losing our way? 4

5 Reflect and Respond What has touched your heart and encouraged your spiritual growth during this week s study? Result In what practical ways can you apply what you have learned this week? 5

6 Thoughts & Prayers 6