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Honor the Governing Authorities

1 Peter 2:14-17

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Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

1 Peter 2:14-17 NIV

This passage in 1 Peter seems to be especially appropriate for many of us in the U.S. now. While we do not have an emperor, we do have a president. And if the believers in Peter’s day were supposed to honor their emperor, would it not follow that we should honor our president and other governing authorities today?

To honor someone is to show them respect, to place value on them. The scripture tells us to honor God, Jesus, each other, our church leaders, marriage, and the emperor. I certainly hope that the honor we give to the others on this list is greater than what we often give to our president. It is hard to see a relationship with God or my wife lasting if they are given the ‘honor’ I often see directed to our president.

Just a quick disclaimer. I am not a fan of our current president, and I disagree with him on more than a couple of issues. I was not really a fan of our past couple of presidents either. Nor of the primary alternatives in recent elections. In fact, I cannot really remember a president that I was fully on-board with.

But even though I disagree with some, or much, of what he is doing, I can still honor him as my president. I don’t always see eye-to-eye with my wife on everything, but I still honor her. I don’t agree with my pastor on at least a couple of things. But I do try and honor him as my pastor. And I even don’t agree with God on all that I understand him to be doing. But I still honor him as God. Why cannot I disagree with a president and yet still honor him?

You may hear me disagree with a presidential policy. You may hear me express dismay with the direction, or lack thereof, that our government is taking. Or you may hear me speak out about a number of issues our country is facing. But you will not see me making Facebook posts that are derogatory toward our president. Or anyone else for that matter. Nor will you find me ‘liking’ those same posts from others.

Honor Governing Authorities

To my fellow believers: I am not asking you to be fans of our current president, or other government leaders; I certainly am not that. But I do ask you to show them the honor that God expects us to have for our governmental leaders. Unless, of course, you disagree with God on this point.

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Ed Jarrett

Just an old clay jar that God continues to see fit to use in his kingdom's work. I am retired, married with 2 children, and 4 grandchildren. I have followed Jesus for many years. And I love to share what He has given me from His word.

A Note to Readers

The views expressed here are solely mine and do not necessarily reflect those of any other person, group, or organization. While I believe they reflect the teachings of the Bible, I am a fallible human and subject to misunderstanding. Please feel free to leave any comments or questions about this post in the comments section below. I am always interested in your feedback.

1 thought on “Honor the Governing Authorities – 1 Peter 2:14-17”

  1. I have felt the same way as you Ed, I have seen some unseemly comments about our president and quite frankly I find it offensive. I disagree on most issues with our President, but he is the President and therefore deserves honor. I remember some teaparty folks at the post office with Obama with a Hitler mustache posters, I was offended. TM

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