Injustice of any kind is hard to bear. When I’m on the receiving end of hate, my natural inclination is to defend myself. To fight back. I have little strength to shoulder the weight of false accusations, unfair treatment, or slights on my character. And yet, that’s exactly what the passage in 1 Peter 2 is asking me to do: put down my rights and “submit to every human institution” (v.13).
Before we continue, it’s important to address the part of this passage that tells slaves to submit to their masters. The Greek word used here refers to household or domestic servants who would’ve also been slaves. Slavery in the first century was different than the American version of race-based slavery of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Peter is not advocating for slavery as a system. He is instead dealing with it as a reality that some of the recipients of his letter lived under. For our purposes, it’s best to read this passage with the phrase “lowly workers” in mind. Peter was instructing Christians to endure their pain with grace.
Peter would know. On more than one occasion, an oppressive government imprisoned him for his beliefs and preaching. He would eventually be crucified. In that place of oppression, he continued preaching the gospel, trusting that God would use every ounce of his suffering for the good of the world. He submitted to the path that God had paved for him, even though that path included hardship.
If you cringe at the word “submission,” you’re in good company. Submission is extremely counter-cultural in our “YOLO” society. An acronym short for you only live once, YOLO is a rallying cry that places happiness as the ultimate aim of life. If we only have this one life to live, we might as well make it a great, fun, exciting one, right? I have to admit, it’s a pretty attractive philosophy. But it stands at complete odds with Christianity.
We also live in a society that rails against injustice with ever-increasing outrage. Police brutality, racial bias in our judicial system, gender wage gaps, sexual abuse and harassment in the workplace—these are serious problems, constantly dominating my news feeds. But the problem with focusing all of my attention and outrage on the world’s ills is that I can so easily lose sight of my own sin. I begin to want change out there far more than I desire change in my own heart.
Rather than focus his eyes on the injustice leveraged against him, Peter chose to focus on the injustices he’d perpetrated against God, forgiven by Jesus’s blood. He knew the truth: Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection replaces our temporary perspective with an eternal one.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree;
so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness (1 Peter 2:24).
As a Christ-follower, you’re not only going to live once—you’re going to live forever. Discomfort, pain, and injustice are real, but they are fleeting when compared to the glory and love of our Savior. I’d rather serve Jesus than my own happiness. And I can trust Jesus to use the injustices I see around me for the good of His kingdom.
How do I know this? Because He suffered a sham trial, a wrongful conviction, and bloody death—on my behalf. And thank God He did. Jesus transformed the ultimate injustice into the world’s greatest good.
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50 thoughts on "A Call to Good Works"
It’s not always going to be fair, it’s not always going to make sense and we won’t always see justice throughout the land in every single system, to the extent in which we desire to see it, but that doesn’t mean God doesn’t see and Him being a just God means He’ll always pay back as He sees fit, and when, even if we don’t see it or ever get to see it.
We must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, and we’ll be just fine even until the end of time.
I am wrestling with just about every part of the message this morning. How can I submit to corrupt leaders? How can I sit in my own little prosperous, American Christian bubble when citizens of other countries are living under rulers whose only goal is to suppress them? How can I just turn away and “trust that the injustice is for the betterment of His kingdom”? This was a very tough one.
I don’t believe this passage nor the author of this devotional is suggesting to be silent in the face of oppression, but to maintain perspective. Obviously there are many examples of Christians (of whom Peter, the author of this book in the Bible is one; he wasn’t martyred without cause) who went against cultural and political norms. Submission in this context isn’t about letting one’s head be bowed by injustices but about letting your goodness shine through the darkness. Sometimes that means honoring those in authority, even if we disagree with them. For example, I dislike many politicians past and present, but I don’t think I would spit on any of them, because as a Christian that goes against my witness. Does that mean I don’t reject unjust policies? No. I have family members who have deeply hurt me? Do I slander them to others? No. Because that would go against my witness as a Christian. But I do not allow them to hurt me further. And so on.
Finally, it’s also about perspective; so often injustice starts, so to speak, with the man in the mirror. Sure, I didn’t perpetuate slavery or the Holocaust, but I have supported, consciously and unconsciously, things that have benefitted from the oppression of others. I cannot turn a blind eye to myself when I want to implicate the world for injustice. If everyone took a good hard look at themselves and removed the planks from their eyes then we would get to the heart of systematic injustices.
‘Submit as free people’ in following God he has set us free through Grace. He has given us a choice in how we respond to those who seek to harm. In choosing Love we are not lying down and accepting what is being done, but showing that God has given us another way to do things. In love we can stand for God.
The idea of suffering for doing the right things is really hard to accept. I think it’s natural for us to want to remain comfortable, no matter the price. This reading encouraged me to not shy away from suffering. Although, that doesn’t mean I should seek it out.
Wow. Today really ate my lunch. I’m a huge advocate against social injustice. And I believe there’s a place for that. But today’s reading really reminded me that I need to be in alignment before I started trying to bring the rest of the world in alignment. Dang.
This has been one of the realest devotions I’ve ever read! I’m so thankful for Christian leaders who will use their skill and resources to preach TRUTH. Thank you God, for promising us an eternal life of unceasing happiness and for promising to be by our side as we persevere through this Earthly anguish.
Katelyn Kenney, thank you for being thoughtful of this. I am a brown skinned woman. So, when I see someone who is of lighter skin mention the possibility of how other communities may not fully appreciate a message like this, it is an amazing thing ❤️
I am glad the writer mentioned slavery and mentioned race. These topics can easily become more in depth. So, it’s possible she just wasn’t able to tackle it too much in this brief writing.
I am struggling a little lately with the church’s silence on racial oppression. It stings me when I read articles and hear sermons that do not mention that there are still people in today’s society that are oppressed by authorities. I am educated and have a great career. And I am still very much aware of the racial injustices going on in society.
Do not be silent when seeing someone speak hate against someone of a different ethnic background. We are to love our neighbors. This was a direct command from Jesus Christ. We are not to sit and just be ok with injustices. Silence = complacency. You can speak up for someone while showing the love of Christ. Racism is a sin. It’s sad that this topic is not discussed.
Jamila, I’m wondering whether this is also a personal sin we need to address. How often do I use ‘white privilege’ to not see the oppression that my brothers and sisters still face? That is just as much colluding with the oppression. I can focus on the sins of other people without fighting my own prejudice.
Absolutely, Alice. We all must acknowledge and work on our own prejudices. Admitting that someone looks different is perfectly ok. People deceive themselves when they say, “I don’t see color.” This statement is both insulting and inaccurate. It’s insulting because this statement comes across as: “I don’t acknowledge the oppression your people have endured. I choose to ignore it. So, I will not ask about your feelings as a brown skinned woman and what you have gone through.” Of course everyone sees color. A person’s (all people) ethnic makeup is beautiful. It should be acknowledged and respected.
We must work on ourselves, see our own sin, and stand up for what is right.
Jamila, I totally agree. I long for the day we will all worship in perfect community in the new kingdom. Until then, silence in the face of hateful speech is not loving our brothers and sisters as ourselves. I pray the church grows in compassion and loving the communities around us who are facing oppression.
Submitting to oppressive authorities isn’t sitting well with me today. As someone who has lived with privileges I’m both aware and unaware of, I wonder how other communities have read these passages. Did MLK, Jr. submit to human institutions? Reminding myself to focus on God’s authority first and foremost…
Just don’t sweat the small stuff, greater is coming.
“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God” (1 Peter 2:16). We are free, but not free to sin! Free to obey. Free to love. Free to serve. Not in bondage to sin and self. Free to sacrifice ourselves in the service of God and others!
These verse convicted me so much!! We have to be followers of Christ but when we are treated badly or unfairly was are ready to fight and get justice. But that is not what Jesus did not commit sin. No deceit was found in his mouth, when insulted He did. Or insult in return, when He suffered, He did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. – 1 Peter 2:22 –
I do those things almost every day if I am being honest. Reading this just changed my whole perspective and how I act towards others
Man what a great reading with lots to think about. It’s a great reminder that though the Bible is intended for us and is applicable to our current lives it’s so important to look at context/genre/culture to really dig in deep. So good!
With regards to submitting to authority, this passage reminds me of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who did not bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar’s image. They did not submit to the king’s authority because it went against God and all they believed in. However, they were willing to suffer quietly for the injustice. As 1 Peter 2:23 states, they did not threaten but entrusted themselves to the one who judges justly. God is our ultimate authority. We are to submit to authority as long as it does not go against what is in the Word of God and be willing to suffer just as Jesus did.
Very well said!
Churchmouse, your words have been my struggle and prayer for a while especially lately when stress seems to heighten my reactions even more. I am in such need of love, grace, and patience myself that I need to remember that others need it too.
2 years ago in Church our pastor said, “Win the person, not the argument “. Today’s scripture and devotional remind me if that sentiment! It is so hard to “serve Jesus rather than my own happiness “, but if my goal is to win the person I will do just that. I fail at this daily but God’s still working on me.
So many times I react with the wrong emotions to an injustice against me or others, Lord teach me to approach it with grace, love, patience, and strength as I entrust all situations “to him who judges justly.”
I grew up in a heritage that taught that God would only love me if I did certain things and didn’t do certain things. As my relationship with the Lord grows, I think it is more about “be-ing.”
Be-ing will include some dos and don’t:
Do honor God in our actions and reactions.
Do honor others.
Do love our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Do fear God.
Do submit.
Do serve in love.
Don’t give in to sinful desires warring against my soul.
Don’t repay evil with evil.
Don’t use freedom as a cover-up for evil.
The dos and don’t are not a set of rules to be followed,
They are a love to be lived.
That is not a typo, I repeat,
Be a love to be lived.
Be – in love with Jesus.
Be – His light in this world.
Be – different, set apart.
Be a warrior when needed.
Be – a God slave.
Be – honorable.
Be – His.
Always…thanks to Jesus.
Thank you for this!
Thank you Claire for saying that about Yolo. I have not agreed with that concept as a Christian Follower of Christ. If we follow him like is the greatest because of him not what happens around us
I feel convicted by today’s reading about how often I take personal offense over a real or imagined injustice. My emotions can overreact and my Christian testimony crumbles before me. Oh to conquering speaking the truth in love and at the right time, if indeed I’m to speak at all. Praying for discernment. Praying for kindness. Praying for boldness. Praying for restraint. I’m in need of all.
I too struggle with being “slow to speak” . It’s the constant warring of flesh and spirit, we have to constantly die to self to allow the spirit to conform us to be able to do the work we’re called to do.
What comes to mind is subject to our bosses. Thankfully the two people I’m under are both believers. Are they perfect? Do I feel that they make right decisions all the time? Of course I don’t. But even when I don’t agree I subject myself under them because that’s what I’m called to do. And if there’s any ever injustice I know that God will make it known.
I think that by starting each day in the word, by focusing on scripture as well as prayer, we allow space for God to show us the areas we need to work on ourselves. Our sin must absolutely be dealt with. Not one of us is perfect. That said, I think it is very important to focus on the injustices happening all the time around us. We are to be creatures of social justice as well. I don’t think it’s an either/or type of situation. We can strive to do better and be close to Christ, *as well as* look out for those around us. There’s a difference between a righteous anger and self righteousness. Let’s not let ourselves off the hook and look the other way when bad things are happening to other people… like the old saying don’t be so heavenly minded that we’re of no earthly good. We can do all of it at the same time. I’d humbly recommend everyone read Martin Luther King’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail.
In love,
I have to admit I struggled with these readings this morning. Some mornings reading each message shared helps me with struggling understandings. Thank you ladies!
Submitting to the law…to be obedient to some specific requirement–the speed limit, filing taxes…loving my neighbor as myself. It doesn’t mean condoning evil, it means walking in Jesus’ footsteps and loving the sinner NOT the sin. How easy it is to point out the stick in someone else’s eye when I have a log in my own. “Jesus transformed the ultimate injustice into the worlds greatest…” for me (us).
Holy Spirit dwell in me that I might shine with the goodness of my Savior in a world that is so often filled with darkness. “May they see YOU (Lord) in me today.” Amen
We are to be responsible citizens and act responsibly towards government if it is not governing in the people’s best interest as well as being responsible and loving Christians. We know man won’t ever get it fully right thus…. THANK YOU JESUS.
Wow…..a great reading today.
What struck me all over again in reading today’s passage is the completeness of what Christ did. Our sins are forgiven. Period. But more than that we have victory over sin that we fight daily if we will claim it. The part of this passage I have always struggled with is the admonition to submit to government authority no matter what. I just don’t think that as Christians we should tolerate injustice or wrong perpetrated by government. I’ve always struggled with reconciling this passage with any number of historic rebellions would consider quite justified by Christian standards.
This is a hard passage to wrap my brain around as well. Why would I submit to what I know is wrong or unjust? What Peter tells us in these verses that tweak the perspective for me is that we are doing it because of the Lord. We know the Lord is working everything for our good (Romans 8:28) and we also know that his ways are not our ways and his thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). We also know that Jesus, who was himself both God and man and could have destroyed his oppressors with a single word, submitted to the government’s authority to the point of death (as Paul says in Philippians 2:8 even death on a cross). I believe Peter is asking us to look to Christ as our example of submission in all aspects of our lives, though specifically referencing government and authority here, and know that the Lord will deliver us in his was and in his timing. As is often with the Lord it may not be the way we would have hoped or thought of, but our eyes should be eternally fixed on the Lord. As for corruption and the brokenness of this world, we can have hope that God will be our avenger. It is not for us to seek out our own vengeance, but rather seek out the Lord. Even Hannah after being tirelessly mocked by her sister wife submitted to God’s will and prays a faithful prayer acknowledging the Lord’s justice in all situations (1 Samuel 2:1-10). All this to say we are not to sit idly by while people are oppressed. We are the church and we are to care for people. Jesus certainly didn’t sit by and just trust God in a passive way. His faith was active with works! Let us love one another so that the worst the world can say about us is that we are Christians. The Lord delights in that.
Yes! Very well said!
So good!!!
Before I read this message this morning, I received a meeting invitation about a restructure at work. I’m pretty sure I will soon be reporting to a peer of mine. It feels like a demotion even though it really is not. And it will change the dymanics of my workplace. Whether or not it is a good change largely depends on how I respond to it. These words help prepare me to respond in a way that honors God and is a testimony of Him in my life, which is important for those non believers on my team. Thank you for being a willing vessel for God to speak to me this morning. I am grateful.
Christian, I don’t think this implies that we should look away from the injustices around us. We are told many times to advocate for the poor, the orphans, the widows, and I think that includes others who are at a disadvantage. I think the point here is that we can’t forget our own sin and what’s going on in our own hearts. And that even when we’re advocating for others, we shouldn’t let it get to the point of outrage. Sometimes we tend to rally just to rally, just to make ourselves heard, but if we’re not DOING anything for the afflicted then our hearts may not be in the right place.
Christian, I don’t think this is saying that we shouldn’t fight injustice. Jesus preached about caring for the poor, the widow, the orphan. We do need to look out for the “least” in our society, we do need to be outraged by abuse, by human trafficking, etc. However, we do also need to submit to authority. How often are sincere Christians on both sides of major political parties? We need to not feel indignation and feel slighted at everything we don’t like or don’t agree with. We need to first look inward at our own sin, then look to the injustice of those who are suffering around us.
As far as I understand, Jesus spoke against the abuses and wrongs by the authorities during his adult life.
Also, I think you need to do some more research about the lives of slaves during Peter’s life.
I know that this is well intentioned, but I don’t think as Jesus-followers we’re meant to look the other way when faced with injustice in our communities.
I wonder if there’s a difference between injustice that’s directed at us and injustice that’s directed at others – the Bible certainly calls for us to stand up for the oppressed. But I think here Peter is talking about still living honorably while under a system of injustice and unfairness. But I think you bring up a good point!
I agree Christian and Meera— this was a bit vague but I also don’t think we are meant to ignore the oppression of others. While we should seek to live honorably, we should also seek to change the system to protect the oppressed.
I think it’s important to make a distinction between “being respectful” and “setting boundaries”. You can be respectful and honoring of your “authority” and set personal boundaries at the same time. For instance, I have a supervisor that is very unprofessional and triangulates by telling other people their private conversations to others. I do not speak disrespectfully to her but I also do not put up with that. I firmly move the conversation in another direction. I can also be truthful to the owners of the company with her behavior and ask for change while still honoring her with my speech. E.g. not calling her names, not speaking from a place of anger but a place of calm, processed resolve. The feedback is also received much better when one is level-headed.
How often do I fall right in step with society and list off the litany of injustices that I feel have been leveled against me? Then do I become righteous-righteously indignant about the insults that are hurled at me and the offenses committed against me. That is so completely opposite of what Jesus did. He, who is righteousness, endured his suffering because he knew the whole story and kept his eyes on the good that came from his suffering-the salvation for all sinners. With Christ in me, and by His strength, let me endure all suffering with grace for His good,
♥️
Amen! Thanks, Tina. Who can even fathom all He endured? I know He bore all of our sins. I picture Him seeing and feeling every disobedience, lie, words of gossip, abuse of every kind, betrayal, thefts, abandonment, and murder that happened was happening, and will happen. I also heard or read this. The very soilders nailing Him to the Cross were being sustained by Him. He holds all things together according to scripture and all things were made through Him. He was still keeping the universe functioning, providing food and water for living creatures, the waves were still rolling, and the people had breath in their lungs and all bodily functions were working all because of Him. He was giving life as they were taking His. It’s just amazing to think about! Thank You, Jesus!
I can’t help but think about Psalm 104 too. I’m amazed at how God provided and cares for everything,
I once argued with my sons teacher, ready to scratch his eyes out because he accused my son of not being a good artist… wait for it… like van Gogh.. he showed me the sunflower picture that many swoon over and he showed me my sons attempt at the same…(He was no artist) but he had tried!
I would defend to the death for my children. I would fight for them. And I would die for them.
They are my children!
And this is only a mothers love.. though ‘to infinity and beyond and back again’ will never be as God’s love for us..
But God…
Oh BUT GOD…
He came.
He was accused. Abused. Beaten. Suffered. Hung on a tree, carrying my/our sins with nails in His hands and feet.
He died.
The tomb was found empty 3 days later.
He had risen from the death…
Resurrection.. to save me/us.. that righteousness might be ours.. that HOPE will be ours. That we, though we love with ALL of ourselves, will know a LOVE greater than anything we will ever experience humanly..
I love the sound of forever. I love the sound of Eternity more..
I will follow Him, because I know what He has done. I will follow Him because He continues to show me who He is, and no matter the journey, He is right there with me.. but most importantly He gave His life for me, He endured for me, He took what was and should have been for me for the greatest good to Him.
Saving me…!
Saving us…!
Thank you Lord God.. thank you for everything… thank you..
Morning with love wrapped hugs and prayers for a God blessed day for all..xxx
Thank you for your wonderful words of truth! So encouraging!
All of this! Yes! Amen!!