Live in Submission to the Government

What is the role of government according to the Bible? How should believers respond to their local, state, and federal leaders? Let’s examine 1 Peter 2:13-17.

1. God’s Command to Submit to Government
• The Meaning of Submission
- “To subordinate; to put in subjection; to arrange yourself under; to obey” (1 Peter 3:1, 5:5; Matthew 22:21)
• The Motive of Submission
- “For the Lord’s sake” clearly tells us the motive of our submission.
- Our greatest motive to submit is because of our love and loyalty to the Lord.
> You submit out of regard for God’s authority.
> You submit out of a concern for His cause.
> You submit for His glory.
• The Magnitude of Submission
- “Every human institution” refers to the various fundamental orders of civil rule in society.
- The character of the leader in office doesn’t affect our submission to the leader or our respect for the office. (Romans 13:1)
- Simply put, this means that Christians are to obey the law of the land whether federal, state, or local law.

2. God’s Purpose for Government
• Two-fold Purpose:
- It is to punish those who do wrong.
> It’s a deterrent to evildoers.
- It is to praise those who do right.
> It’s to reward obedience and good behavior. (Romans 13:1-7)
- The primary goal of government is to act as ministers of God to punish evildoers, restrain evil, and praise those who do right.

3. God’s Purpose for our Submission
• Our submission is God’s will. (1 Thessalonians 4:3; Ephesians 5:17-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 Peter 2:14)
• Our submission is intended to silence our foolish critics.
• Our submission identifies us as true servants of God. (1 Peter 2:16)
• Our submission is manifested this way: (1 Peter 2:17)
- Show proper respect and honor to all.
- Love the brotherhood of believers.
- Fear God.
- Honor your civil authority.

4. Live in Submission to the Government.
What is the exception to our submission?
• When obedience to civil authorities would require disobedience to God’s Word; you must obey God rather than man. (Exodus 1:15-22; Daniel 3:1-30)
• The hierarchal order of authority is God above all – God first!