This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
1 Peter 2:13-14
13 [oun] Submit yourselves [hupotasso] to every [pas] ordinance [ktisis] of man [anthropinos] for [dia] the Lord's sake [kurios]: whether it be [eite] to the king [basileus], as [hos] supreme [huperecho];
14 Or [eite] unto governors [hegemon], as [hos] unto them that are sent [pempo] by [dia] him [autos] for [eis] [men] the punishment [ekdikesis] of evildoers [kakopoios], and [de] for the praise [epainos] of them that do well [agathopoios]. KJV-Interlinear
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. NASB
Jesus Christ controls history. Whether the government in existence is a communist government or a republic, a monarchy or a dictatorship, is irrelevant.
Christ controls history through His direct authority, through His indirect authority, or through His permissive authority. And despite mans attempt to hijack history away from Gods control, Jesus Christ is infinitely smarter and infinitely more powerful, making it impossible for anyone to alter Gods divine plan.
Satan is far more intelligent than humanity, and he could not prevent the line of Christ, the birth of Christ, or the Cross. Today we are in the Church Age, and in our dispensation, the next great event of history is the Rapture, not the next election, not the next world championship sports competition.
Today we are witnessing the most phenomenal attempt to hijack a government by extreme liberalism. With each succeeding election, the pressure of evil gets greater and greater. But, not to worry. If it is their time, then Christ will allow it, but if it is not their time, then evil will fail.
No matter what the outcome, man is never in control, nor in charge.
This does not let you off the hook and give you the right to do nothing. You still must remain responsible in your life.
But, what Peter is telling us here is, that you are a visitor in this world. You must be on your best behavior, and as such, you must obey the laws of the land. Submit to authority, and respect the will of the government currently in place.
Remember that they are not really in charge, but Christ is.
If you live in an oppressed nation, then you certainly have the right to leave it, and find a better place to live, but if you remain, then you are bound by the laws of the land, as they apply to truth and the principles taught in the Bible.
In the course of time, if a government is evil, then Christ will remove it, or allow its removal.
Your responsibility is to recognize the authority which God has permitted, and as such, to not promote violence or unrest. Anyone who goes out and promotes violence, prejudice, etc., is in violation of this mandate of being obedient to the local authority.
Live your life as a law-abiding citizen
Do not try to help God in His control over history. He does very well on His own.
