The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Peter 2:13-17, “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.
15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.
16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.
17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.”

Do you think you could count the times somone has asked or ordered you to do something? It starts in the home: “Pick up your clothes! Don’t leave your room in a mess! Come straight home and be here at 9:30 P.M.” Then there are teachers: “Stop talking back there and listen! There’s a test on Friday!” Employer: “I expect you to start work at 7:30 A.M. sharp! If you want a full day’s pay, you’ll have to do a full day’s work!”

What are you to do? If you want to stay out of trouble, if you want to pass the test, if you want to keep your job, you obey! Obedience to parents and teachers and bosses, however, is obedience to the LORD Himself. When you obey the “governers” (authorities) you are obeying the LORD. But why does the LORD require that? Those “authorities” are not always right. They make mistakes, too.

When we obey the LORD, we are free, and we “silence the ignorance of foolish men.” Think about it. It takes two to have an argument. And you could argue that the boss’s son is always late; but that is not a good argument. Just be quiet. The LORD is in control of the situation. Besides, your agreement is to obey the boss; his agreement is to pay you wages. It has nothing to do with the activity of the boss’s son.

“But I have a right to say what I think. I have freedom.” Thus far, the boss has said nothing about your lazyness at work. “Do not use your freedom as a covering for evil…” Use it as a servant of God.” Honor people like parents, teachers, and bosses. For when we deal rightly with and toward others, we honor the LORD, our God.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom