1 Peter 2:13-14 TPT “In order to honor the Lord, you must respect and defer to the authority of every human institution, whether it be the highest ruler or the governors he puts in place to punish lawbreakers and to praise those who do what’s right.“
What is one major way of honoring God? Scripture says you must respect and defer to the authority of every form of human institution.
What is human institution?
1. Church leaders
2. Parents, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, older siblings
3 Secular government such as your president, governor, police officer, teachers, civil leaders
4. Elders, seniors, older relatives of higher rank
5 . Employers, workplace, or bosses (managers), including mean ones.
6. Anyone given authority through human institutions, even security guards, Traffic officers, landlords, managers, etc
What does defer mean?
Defer means to yield.
Let us look at NLT version
1 Peter 2:13-14 NLT “For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. 14 For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.“
Verse 14 shows that God uses human institutions to either bless or punish us. God uses people to bless and reward you for respecting and honoring authority. God will use human institutions to throw you in jail, give you tickets, make you pay fines, and discipline you in order to teach you law and respect. But respect who or what? The structure of human authority is to teach you to respect God because He is the one who has created such authority.
For example, in the United States, under the First Amendment, you are allowed to slander or ridicule your president or government. You are allowed to slander or ridicule your employer, teachers, parents, and or church pastors. But the Bible clearly and strongly warns and forbids you from slandering any of the above people or else face God’s judgment. This is why many Christians are living defeated poverty lives and under curses. Many Christians live under their own secular tradition and culture, thinking such behavior is fine. But under God’s culture and kingdom, such behavior will receive judgment.
Romans 13:1-2 NLT “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.“
Yes, it is that simple.
Pastor Steve Kim