TODAY’S VERSES:

1 Peter 2:13-14  Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

In prep school, we have begun a study on the book of Esther. In chapter 1, we read that Queen Vashti refused to obey her husband, King Xerxes, when he summoned her. How does the Bible tell us that we are to respond to those in authority? We are commanded to submit to:

-Leaders in the world (President, Governor, police, etc.):
Romans 13:1-2,5 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

-Leaders in the church (Pastor, Deacon, etc.):
Hebrews 13:17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

-Leaders in the home (husbands, parents, etc.):
Ephesians 5:22-24 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

Most importantly, we are commanded to submit to God, the Leader of all creation:
James 4:7a Submit yourselves, then, to God.

Except for God, all authority will make mistakes, seem unfair at times, and may ask you to do things you don’t agree with. Even if you think a leader is wrong, though, you are to obey. The only exception is if a leader asks you to go against what God commands us to do in the Bible.

Acts 5:27-29 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!”

So, how do you know if what you are told to do is against God’s Word if you do not read your Bible? God has made it very clear that we are to continuously read His Word and pray. This is for OUR benefit, so we may know His will for our lives. Read your Bible, pray, and obey, every day!