John Bevere says this, “All authority is of God, but not all authority is godly.” We are in a climate in our country where it is difficult to find positive words to say to the authority that’s in place and even harder to honor that authority. 

I would like to address a question, that’s been pondering in my mind during this time and I’m sure many more people have thought about this as well. “Are we to submit to authority when they have consistently mistreated us?” Can I provide another question as well? “Why would God want me to submit and honor authority that continues to dishonor me?”

Here are a couple verses that I will address that have been misused, but these verses are providing the answer to the questions I have asked.

 

1 Peter 2:18 – 21 AMPC

18 [You who are] household servants, be submissive to your masters with all [proper] respect, not only to those who are kind and considerate and reasonable, but also to those who are surly (overbearing, unjust, and crooked).

19 For one is regarded favorably (is approved, acceptable, and thankworthy) if, as in the sight of God, he endures the pain of unjust suffering.

20 [After all] what kind of glory [is there in it] if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you take it patiently? But if you bear patiently with suffering [which results] when you do right and that is undeserved, it is acceptable and pleasing to God.

21 For even to this were you called [it is inseparable from your vocation]. For Christ also suffered for you, leaving you [His personal] example, so that you should follow in His footsteps.

 

Can I be honest with you; I have avoided these scriptures based on how it was used as a tool for manipulation during slavery. I didn’t want to address these scriptures, but the key to honor unjust authority is in.  The word servant here means one who lives in the same house as another and then household slaves or domestic servants. Many of these household or domestic slaves were well educated and held responsible positions in the households. Many of them were doctors, teachers, musicians, actors and stewards over great estates.

In the Roman Empire there were as many as 60,000,000 slaves, Slavery began with Roman conquests, slaves being originally mainly prisoners taken in war, and in very early times Rome had few slaves but by New Testament times slaves were counted by the million. America has a history drenched in unjust authorities that have used these scriptures without context to keep slaves in a submitted position. This unjust authority is still a plight for people of color in America with the effects still being displayed.  How can I as an African American male that is a believer of Yeshua submit to authority when they have consistently mistreated me and my brothers and sisters of color? I have to understand there’s rewards tied to the enduring. It is I enduring what my big brother Yeshua endured. I am imitating and operating as Jesus did. I am following the footsteps of Stephen the deacon in Acts who was stoned; yet, still prayed, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!”  I must receive the truth that God has appointed authority and if I dishonor authority, I ultimately dishonor God (Romans 13:1 – 2 AMPC).

You’ll probably saying, “I’m not a household servant, so 1 Peter 2:18 – 21 isn’t directed towards me.” I would disagree; authority can also be applied to your job, school, church, family as well as being a civilian. We should reverence God in our heart to overcome the unjust in these positions as well. There have been many mean, unjust even oppressive leaders, and scripture tells us all authority is of God, that doesn’t mean all authority is godly. Look at Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, King Saul (God even said he regrets making Saul King) and even Pharisees. The test of our faith is not those who honor and love us but those who don’t. 

Luke 6:32 – 36 NIV

32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

Did you catch verse 35? “…Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High…” There’s always a reward that’s tied to honor, even if what you are honoring is ungodly.