Living Under Submission

How do we live in a nation which is increasing hostile to our Christian beliefs? What should be our response as believers to the secular government over us? Peter and his first century readers did not live in a perfect society. The infamous Nero was perhaps the emperor of Rome at the time. And yet Peter encourages to his readers and to us today, to be model citizens of our country. We are to submit to every ordinance or institution of man. That should be the norm. There are some exceptions. If our government demands us to worship something other than God, to bow down to the State or commands us to accept and do activities contrary to the clear teaching of God's Word-- if our government restricts us in the preaching of God's word and the sharing of the gospel.-- then we must answer to a higher power and obey God rather than man. But generally, we are to submit to the authorities over us as a means of silencing the gospel critics. For as bondservants of Jesus Christ, we are intent on doing God's will. Therefore, we are to honor all, love the brotherhood, fear God, and honor the king! We are to learn to live under submission to authority as we live for Christ in a post-Christian world.