The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Peter 2:13-19, “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.

18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.

19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.”

Did the first 10 verses of the passage above give you a start? Maybe we need to repeat them: “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution…” No, Peter is not saying that we ought to join every human institution and live by its rules. No, we are to be submissive to law and order as constituted by government. But, read on – “…for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.”

Notice, too, that we are to do everything “with all respect,” even toward “those who are unreasonable.” If we apply these divine instructions to the day in which we currently live, we can depend on the LORD to advance and ultimately implant respect into the lives of those who are “unreasonable.” It’s like fighting the fires of harsh opposition with the sweet waters of kindness. Even if the cause is lost for the moment, what will linger in the minds and hearts of the opposition will work toward a compatible conclusion. It’s winning with kindness instead of raw power!

Wherever “sticky” situations arise, the resolution for the Christian is through prayer and kindness. “Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.” The LORD always has a way that is superior and beyond our wildest imagination!

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

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