More on "In His Steps"

Two weeks ago we looked at Peter’s famous statement that we are to follow in Jesus’ steps, and I said then that I wanted to come back to it for another look. In our first comments, we noted that in context the call is to respect, obedience, submission, suffering, and non-retaliation—all in our relationships with the authorities in our lives.

Peter is teaching us the Jesus’ principle that some have called “revolutionary subordination.” This may sound like some oxymoron leading you to just become a doormat for tyrannical and abusive people. In reality, it is living the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven and showing the world how God gets things done.

But while Jesus’ message calls us to a radical submission in most cases, it also calls us to disobedience in others. This is never disobedience to authorities for its own sake. It is a disobedience that grows out of our submission to the reign of God.

We should pay our taxes, show honor to the president, obey everything from the copyright laws to the speed limit, and always with a positive attitude as if we were obeying the Lord (think about that for a while), but when government says to do something opposite of the words of Jesus, we must disobey. In the midst of such a test, this same Peter said in Acts 5, "We must obey God rather than men! (v.29)

Christians will be to some, annoyingly respectful of authorities and laws, but at times regarded as unpatriotic and dangerous, and both of these because they live in a kingdom that is not of this world.

Focus Scriptures

Romans 12:18-13:2
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. [2] Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Acts 4:17-20
17But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name." 18Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. 20For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."

Acts 5:27-29
Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood." 29Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!