1 Peter 2:13 (NIV)
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human
authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority,
The word “submit” comes from the Greek word hupeiko, meaning
“to yield.” The culture in which we live suggests to us that
we must be in control of our own destiny. Leading submitted, humble lives seems
to be synonymous with being weak in character. However, yielding to the Lord
and to those in authority actually strengthens us to live successful lives.
When we yield ourselves completely to Christ, we love others
and have their best interest at heart. We become people who are God-centered
and not self-centered. Yielding to the authority of God allows us to live in
peaceful surrender to a loving God who knows what is best for us and for
others.
The verses in this section of I Peter challenge us as we
seek to understand the meaning of submission in our lives.
Where are you struggling with submission to authority? I
remember teaching one of my children to yield at an intersection when she was
learning to drive. My child, who always tested me, would come to yield at a
stop sign or intersection and always inch her way out without first coming to a
stop and looking both ways. Yielding requires us to slow down or perhaps stop
and allow others to go ahead of us. The Lord has given us people in authority
such as parents, government officials and our bosses, to whom we must be
willing to submit. God is our ultimate authority, and as we learn to yield and
surrender ourselves to Him, we will likewise learn to submit to others. We are
actually strengthened as we learn to humbly do so.
Thoughts for today: can I yield? How do I show humility?
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