The topic of submission may not be a popular one, but the Christian must return here time and time again. As one preaches and teaches from the Bible in an expository fashion, he will notice that he must expound on the topic of submission relatively frequently. The topic arises in the context of the home, the church, the government, the employer and employee relationship, and most importantly between God and man.
It is exemplified in the life of the disciples and, high above the example of man, is the example of Christ Himself. Christ submitted to the Great High Priest, He submitted to Pilate, and He submitted to the will of the Father that brought upon His back the cross of Calvary.
If you ever hear anyone say that Christianity will be easy, do not believe him. Sure, Jesus talked about His yoke being easy and His burden light, but that is not to say that Christianity is easy.
As Paul submitted to the will of God, he was afflicted to the point of believing that the sentence of death was upon him (2 Cor. 1:8-9). When Peter submitted to the will of God, he found himself hanging on a cross upside down. In the Old Testament, Nehemiah submitted to the will of God, and it brought upon his shoulders hard labor as he sought to motivate the masses and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. All of this – and much more – can easily be said concerning the topic of submission.
The Christian needs to see how his submission to God must be of primary concern in his relationship to Christ. He also must see how his submission to those in authority over him directly reflects his submission to God. The Christian need not agree with everything about his authority in order to submit. True submission is tested when the Christian does not agree but rather bows the knee for the glory of God. This is not to say that submission is walking blindly into sin. This is not to say that if someone asks the Christian to sin, then the Christian should submit to such a request. Rather, the Christian must submit to those in authority over him if those in authority over him are not asking him to sin or obviously disrupting his relationship with God.
Submission and authority are most often encountered in the home, the government, the church, and one’s place of business. Nevertheless, wherever there is an authoritative relationship, there is a need to submit. It is important to recognize that there are also spheres of authoritative rule. For instance, biblically, your boss does not have authority over your home. Rather, his authority has parameters, and they pertain to your place of employment. This is also important in understanding your duties before the Lord.
But what if someone has a harsh boss? What if someone feels justified to forgo submitting to his authority? Peter can be of great assistance here.
Harsh authority
It has commonly been said that the servant-master relationship that has been laid out in Scripture can be modernized to fit into the employer-employee relationship.
Scripture says, “Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle , but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully” (1 Pet. 2:18-19). Peter here addresses the topic of harsh authority rather bluntly. He leaves no wiggle room for the Christian.
In the modern era, there will be times when those in authority are harsh, unloving, and even mean. It is important to remember that nobody is perfect. If the requirement to be in a position of authority was perfection, then nobody would be in that position. It is not the character of the person that must be respected but rather the God-given position.
At the core of this matter, one finds God’s sovereignty. How far do you take the sovereignty of God? Do you believe His sovereign rule is over all things or over most things? The answer that you give to these questions will reveal either a motivation in submitting to those in authority or a hindrance.
Do not grow weary
Submitting during difficult times and to difficult people will pose a challenge; there is no way around this truth. The Christian will be greatly tested in the midst of his relationships to others. Scripture says, “For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God” (1 Pet. 2:20). In other words, there will be times when people will receive discipline or correction or even harsh treatment when they themselves have not been doing what they should have been doing. This should be of no surprise, and the Christian should obviously be able to endure this type of treatment.
However, there will be times when the Christian will simply be mistreated when he has done right. When he patiently endures through this type of treatment, he will both benefit himself and bring glory to God. This verse is reminiscent of when Paul told the Christian not to grow weary in doing good, then assured the Christian with a promise that in due season, he will reap if he does not give up.
The calling of God
While this challenging relationship between the one in authority and the one who is called to submit is less than ideal, Peter goes on to say something rather amazing. He says, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (1 Pet. 2:21). Simply put, it is the calling of God. The Christian will receive no benefit in hearing that the road will be easy. It will be of no advantage to him to listen to words that merely tingle his ears and make believing in Christ sound simple. To follow Jesus means to carry the cross of Christ. This is the calling of God.
Jesus beckons people to come and bear the cross. As Christ suffered, so also will the Christian suffer. It will come in different forms and fashions. Each cross will be custom fitted. But a cross you shall bear if Jesus you would follow. Peter says that Christ left us an example in the cross that the Christian should follow in His steps.
The Christian needs to hear these words. They are life to him because it is death that they bring: death to self, death to the old life, death to the old way, and death to the old nature. The Christian must see that it is through the grave that he will experience the abundant life that God has promised, but never before.
Christ died on the cross, was buried in the tomb, and rose from the dead. So the Christian is baptized into Christ’s life, death, burial, and resurrection. Peter applies this directly to the topic of submission to authority, and this must not be overlooked.
Remembering Christ
To submit, one must remember the work of Christ. Peter goes on to say, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Pet. 2:24). Christ has made a way for the Christian to live in a fallen world while also glorifying God. When the Christian begins to think that his circumstances are unique, he must look to the cross of Christ. When he begins to find himself justifying his lack of submission, he must look to the life-giving wounds of Jesus that declare a message much louder than the lies of the enemy.
You have died to sin, and by the wounds of Christ, you have been healed. He has left you an example that you should follow in His steps.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for the example of Christ. What a great God You are, and what a wonderful Savior I have in Jesus. Help me to submit to the glory of God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.