Week 2 - Day 6
(13) Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, (14) or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. (15) For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. (16) Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. (17) Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
(18) Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. (19) For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. (20) But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. (21) To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
Reading: Human authority fails to lead the way God intends. Throughout the entirety of history, and even from the scripture from Genesis to Revelation, we see the impact of sinful men leading people into brokenness. Peter shares with the exiles scattered abroad that this will be a reality for them too – and to use it as an opportunity to silence the slanderers.
Where you live, you might not have blatantly obvious authoritative persecution. For a lot of the church in history, this has been the case to some extent. Maybe for you, instead of physical persecution, being a Christian would result in ostracism from certain “popular” circles. There are different ways that persecution can manifest. By Christians’ good works through the suffering of that persecution, Christ is glorified. God sees that you care more about his kingdom and glory. Others see that your faith is real – and they might even want to know more.
In the Roman empire after the resurrection of Christ, physical persecution was turned up to a high-level. Christians were first, and horribly, were targeted for persecution as a group by the emperor Nero in 64 AD. A colossal fire broke out at Rome, and destroyed much of the city. Rumors thrived that Nero himself was responsible. Perhaps to divert attention from the rumors, Nero ordered that Christians should be rounded up and killed. Some were torn apart by dogs, others burnt alive as human torches. But Christ prevailed through it all.
One of the supposed watersheds in history is the conversion of the emperor Constantine to Christianity in, or about, 312 AD. Then in 313, Constantine entered into an agreement with Licinius at Milan. This agreement, the “Edict of Milan,” granted the free exercise of religion to “Christians and all others.” Some say it was the miracles Constatine saw that had the greatest impact on his conversion, but no one can discount the early Christ-followers that endured suffering, proclaiming a testimony about God, and in turn changed the world forever.
Reflection: Who do you know has suffered for doing good?
Prayer Prompt: Lord, give me a heart that pursues truth no matter what obstacles are in the way. Whatever people say or do to me, I pray for purity through the trials. If I have to go through persecution, help me endure it so that you are glorified in me – in whatever form that suffering looks like. Living a life for you is more important than my momentary comfort.