Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 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.
In these turbulent times on earth in 2022, we can see so much we could disagree with in these verses. Look at the words and be honest. Do they create tension and resentment in your soul? Be subject. Institution. Emperor. Governors. I think we would have to admit that these are not our favorite words but these next words should be. The will of God. these few words change everything and I believe that is why Peter wrote them to the churches in Asia Minor who were about to suffer. Now they can look at the will of God and then look back at these other words and see them totally differently. They could now see them as a way to be obedient and faithful to Jesus Christ and show his love to them.
Come to Cape Community Church tomorrow and we will learn a valuable lesson about enduring verbal abuse. Sure, we would love to put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. We feel at times if we could do so, we could hear a pin drop all over the world. If that is you…or me, take another look at the aforementioned phrase about the will of God…
And be subject to him.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church