This week as we dove back into in our sub-series over 1 Peter, we encountered a difficult, yet aptly timed passage about submission to rulers and authorities. Opinions, when it comes to social and political issues, are like snowflakes...no two are the same. To say that we, as a culture and a nation, are deeply divided over a number of important issues is a huge understatement. The gap between blue and red is often as far as the east is from the west. This often leads to ineffective stalemates where neither side is willing to budge and progress grinds to a screeching halt. Yet, this is the system in which we live, and like it or not, we must play the hand we've been dealt. At the end of the day, I still believe America is the greatest nation in the world and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else, but that doesn't mean there aren't some serious problems facing our country.
In the midst of all of this turmoil, how are we as Christians called to live? That was the subject tackled in this week's sermon. As Joe pointed out, many would argue that Peter's instructions, and others like them found in scripture, are outdated and don't apply to today. But as he also rightly pointed out, they would be wrong. In fact, in many ways, the culture that the early church found itself in is not overly different from that which we find today. Social issues like justice, equality, and human rights were concerns then, just like today. Likewise, sinful attitudes and lifestyles were as rampant then as they are now. There is a great deal we can learn from our brothers and sisters of the past, and Joe did a great job of expositing those truths for us.
For a Christian, regardless of the time or place one finds themselves living in, the calling remains the same. Christians are to be marked by the way our thoughts, attitudes, and actions depart from the social norm. In other words, we are called to holy living. I've stated this numerous times before, but the best way to understand holiness is that which is "other than." It is what separates God and the things of God (like his people) from the things of this world. Christians are called to be distinct from the world.
As Christians, we live as ambassadors for Christ. This means that what people see from us and what they think about us will influence what they think and believe about Jesus. This is an immense responsibility to carry. How does my life reflect favorably upon Christ? How does yours?
The problems of today are the same problems that have plagued the world since the Garden. All issues--social, political, or otherwise--are ultimately sin issues. The problem of sin and the sinfulness of mankind, each and every one of us, lies at the root of all other issues. This is bad news, since scripture speaks at length of the depth and breadth of the reach of sin. Sin is the first and greatest worldwide pandemic and it has infected everyone regardless of nationality, people group, skin color, age, gender, socioeconomic status, etc. We've all got it!
However, there is good news also. Unlike may diseases, this one has a cure. It's not a pill or a treatment. You can't buy it from a pharmacy or get it from your doctor. It doesn't require hospitalization or advanced therapy. The cure for sin is simply faith in the one who has overcome it.
You see, all issues are gospel issues, because all issues are sin issues and the gospel overcomes sin. This means that the answer to our worlds problems isn't faith in government, faith in the people, or in social change. The answer is the gospel. The gospel is the proper response in all circumstances. It speaks to equality when it says, "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). It speaks to justice when it says, "[Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world" (1 John 2.2). And at the same time, it answers injustice when it says, "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21).
In all ways Jesus has stood in our place. He has done what we could not and would not do for ourselves. He fulfilled God's law on our behalf, suffered unjustly on our behalf, atoned for sin on our behalf; granted his sanctifying spirit to us on our behalf; and after all of that, he still intercedes to the Father on our behalf yet today. And all of this he does for us by grace through faith.
In response to all of this, we are called to follow him. This calling is simple, and yet it transforms everything in our lives. To be a follower of Christ is to walk in the wisdom and power of his Spirit, discerning what is good and evil (Hebrews 5:14). It is trusting him and his word, obeying his commands, and worshiping him as Lord and Savior. It is the exchanging of the sinful desires and affections of our hearts for new and redeemed ones. We become a new creation in Christ.
As such, we see life clearly through new eyes. To be a Christian is to understand that the former things have perished and been replaced by new. There is no place in the Christian life for anything that seeks to rob Christ of his glory.
This Christian perspective, or worldview, should therefore influence and inform everything we think and believe (we'll address this in more detail in next Sunday's sermon). We can't separate our politics from our faith in Christ. We can't separate our thoughts and feelings on social issues from our faith in Christ. We can't divorce our concern for our neighbor; our obedience to the powers and authorities over us; our respect for peace, order, and lawfulness; our desire for justice; and our hopes for mankind from our faith in Christ. When we are in Christ, we are knit to him in such a way that his heart becomes our heart and his mind our mind. This means what Christ values we value.
In Jesus we have a simple and yet effective calling for our lives. Our job is first and foremost to fulfill the great commission to spread his gospel to the far reaches of the world (Matthew 28:18-20). In so doing we are commanded to honor God and love our fellow man (Matthew 22:36-40). This is the Christian life in its most basic and simplest of terms. Our goal therefore as Christians must be to remain focused on the task at hand and to not become weary or distracted. At the same time, we must bring all areas of our lives under the lordship of Jesus Christ. And when the world opposes us, as it opposed our Lord, we follow his example in selflessly and sacrificially loving.
In Grace,
Chris Morris
If you missed this week's sermon (or just want to listen again), follow the link below to listen. Or subscribe to our podcast in iTunes.
Part 4 - Submitting to Rulers and Authorities
Questions discussed in this sermon:
1. What is our status as Christians in this world, where is our citizenship?
2. Why should Christians submit to authority?
3. How is Christ our example as Christians?
Next week's lesson: 1 Peter 3:1-12
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