Part 5 SUBMISSION IN HOLINESS
Human nature is often defiant. It’s easier to let my “me-first” attitudes rule autonomy than submit to another of differing views. Peter writes of a better way, submission. Submission calls us to confront the “me-first” mentality and follow more closely the servant-heart of Jesus. He submitted to the Father’s will. He submitted to Pilate, a human authority. He submitted to suffering and death on the cross. Jesus submitted, not out of inferiority, but out of love for the Father and love for people. Peter calls believers to a submission that resembles Jesus.
Submission isn’t blind or comprehensive. It carries the condition of honoring God. Jesus yielded to Pilate, but he chased the moneychangers out of the temple, both acts honoring God. Peter was threatened, beaten, and arrested for preaching Jesus. He submitted to authorities but didn’t quit preaching Jesus (Acts 4:18-19). Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in fighting to honor God lost his life to an anti-God Nazi Regime. When honoring the State or honoring God are in conflict, obedience to God takes priority. As much as possible, we are to live in peace with all people (Romans 12:18).
Reflect Jesus to the World
Submission in relationships is to point others to our Savior.
Peter writes, “Dear friends, you are like visitors and strangers in this world. So I beg you to keep your lives free from the evil things you want to do, those desires that fight against your true selves. People who don’t believe are living all around you. They may say that you are doing wrong. So live such good lives that they will see the good you do, and they will give glory to God on the Day he comes” (1 Peter 2:11-12).
Fear God, honor the King
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men; whether to the King, as the supreme authority, or to governors. Fear God, and honor the King. 1 Peter 2:13, 14,17b
In Peter’s day, honoring the King was no easy task. The King persecuted Christians, executed John’s brother, James, and arrested Peter (Acts 12:1-3). How did Peter show respect to such tyrants?
Nero (AD 37-68), the ruling emperor of the Roman Empire, murdered his mother and first wife. He arrested Christians, fed them to wild dogs, nailed them to crosses, burned them as torches for evening lights. Nero’s maniacal leadership in 64 AD put Peter to death by crucifixion.
Peter saw the way Jesus submitted to Pilate. He heard Jesus say, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (Mark 12:17). Peter believed Jesus had all authority in heaven and earth, and yet he submitted to the Father’s plan and to suffering.
The Apostle Paul shared Peter’s message, “everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. God has appointed the authorities that exist. Consequently, the one who resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:1).
The Old Testament gives the same directive. “He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them (Daniel 2:21). Daniel, a Prophet, was a man of excellence. From a young man in exile to old age, his submission to the Kings he served honored God and impacted nations (Daniel 5:12, 14; 6:3; 9:23).
Daniel chapter 6 gives an example of his submission to God and the King. Jealous peers tricked the King into issuing an irrevocable decree; anyone who prays to any god or human for the next thirty days, except to the King, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. Daniel heard the decree, yet continued to pray publicly three times a day.
Daniel was thrown to the lions. After a sleepless night, the King came to see if God rescued him. Daniel is not harsh to the King.
“May the King live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty” (Daniel 6:21-23).
Daniel’s life and the miracle of surviving the lion’s den so moved the King, he issued another decree encouraging all to believe in the God of Daniel. Daniel could have said harsh, angry words to the King, but he chose to honor God, and God honored him for it.
JESUS submitted to Pilate. Pontius Pilate had the authority to put Jesus to death by crucifixion. Jesus said, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above (John 19:11).
Submission isn’t about who’s stronger or has more control. Submission is the maturity of faith that yields to do the Father’s will.
Holiness calls us to honor “those in authority” over us. Respect them (1 Peter 2:17). Even if we can’t revere their political persuasion, we can revere the office. When we revere God, we can honor ruling authorities and pray for them.
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior (1 Timothy 2:1-3).
Holiness calls us to submit to ruling authorities with respect and prayer. No more name-calling, no hatred.
To Employers/Masters
In Peter’s time, “slaves,” were educated as teachers, doctors, musicians, or stewards over large estates. In the Roman Empire, slaves were plenteous, about 60,000,000. Many slaves were loved, like family. Others were cruelly treated. Peter says out of your love for God, submit to the master, whether good or evil (1 Peter 2:18).
Follow the example of Jesus. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23).
An unfair employer, a difficult boss, a short-tempered trainer, or a spouse who is a taskmaster makes life difficult. When slandered or verbally abused, it’s natural to want to respond the same way. But that is not the example of Jesus. When they jeered, rejected, abused Him, what did Jesus do? He said, “Father forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). And He died for them, to save many lives.
Joseph (Increaser), a teenager, was sold by his jealous brothers into slavery, en employee of Potiphar, and imprisoned by a lie from his employer’s wife. Seventeen years Joseph was under a taskmaster, but rather than hate his boss, or God, he chose the better way. He trusted God with his life. In God’s timetable, the heathen ruler Pharoah recognized Joseph was filled with the spirit of God. Joseph became the second-highest-ranking official in Egypt. His submission to God and his employer/master saved the nation of Egypt and his family’s nation, Israel.
With the restoration with his brothers who sold him to slavery, he said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20).
Joseph’s submission in difficult years proved God’s faithfulness and favor to him for the ultimate purpose of “saving many lives.”
Submission to governing authorities, a boss, and a spouse is the way of holiness that shows Jesus to the world and “saving of many lives.”
To Your Spouse
God calls spouses to submit to one another with humility (1 Peter 5:5).
As Jesus submitted to the Father, husbands and wives are to submit to each other. Submission, built by love, can bolster rather than crumble a marriage.
Submission Wins An Unbelieving Husband.
Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight (1 Peter 3:1-6).
Mutual Submission in Marriage
Submission from a wife is not only to an unbelieving husband. It is the glue that holds a marriage of believers together. On Facebook, a wife shared how a habit of her husband used to irritate her; he didn’t push the chair back to the table after eating. Nothing big, but we understand how little things can be annoying. After being married for several years, it no longer irritated her, and she looked forward to doing it for him. Love covers a multitude of sins and gives rich rewards!
Husbands are called to follow the example of Jesus. Lay down your life for her. Lead lovingly. Show your love for God by being attentive to her needs. Submission from a wife to her husband is not withheld when she is loved.
God gives a promise of answered prayer to the man who follows the example of Jesus.
Husbands, you, in turn, must treat your wives with tenderness, viewing them as feminine partners who deserve to be honored, for they are co-heirs with you of the “divine grace of life so that nothing will hinder your prayers (1 Peter 3:7 TPT).
Submission is to resemble Jesus and His Bride, the Church.
Marriage is to be the picture of Jesus and His sacrifice for the Church, the Bride of Christ each spouse is to emulate. Paul reiterates the message of Peter regarding submission (Ephesians 5 21-33).
Following the example of Jesus will reward us with holiness and a strong marriage.
Submission is a challenge.
It’s counterintuitive to human nature. The Lord says to submit, “for the Lord’s sake,” to governing authorities, pastors, leaders, employers/masters, and spouses.
Submission calls us to confront the “me-first” mentality and follow more closely the servant-heart of Jesus. Loving others and putting them first requires the grace of God and the help of the Holy Spirit. But when we do, we reflect Jesus
Watch for the next post, Part 6, THE HOLINESS OF SUFFERING
Jesus is our example of holy living. Peter’s insight into Jesus’ suffering can help us face difficult situations.
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