Our Attitude: To Authority

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
          1 Peter 2:13-17


Christians are to be submissive and peaceable - not harsh and difficult. We are to be respectful and compassionate. We should have humility and patience - trying to be understanding and loving. The Christian is to be submissive to God (James 4:7). The Christian is to be submissive to one another (Ephesians 5:21). The Christian is also to be submissive to governing authorities, as found in the above passage (also see Romans 13).

Humility and love goes along way in the Christian attitude. As God’s Children we are to be imitators of Him (Ephesians 5:1) and should display the great love that God shows to us. As God is light, and we His children, we ought to be lights of this world (James 1:17). We need to be good examples and when we are submissive to authorities - obeying the laws of the land - we are setting a good example and behaving orderly and respectfully.

The Christian needs to be respectful. God is a God of order, not confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). And governments can help hold together order. Thus we should be respectful of the laws that are passed and not be stirring up confusion and upsetting the peace. We are to honour all people and that includes the governing authorities.

Of course, while we are respectful of authority there are times where we must not “go with the flow” and instead stand firm.


But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.
          Acts 5:29


It is important to be respectful and honour all people, including those who rule over us. Let us be the peaceable, loving, and respectful people that we ought to be - being submissive to the laws of the land as long as they are appropriate.

                -- John Thrower Jr.