In 1 Peter, Apostle Peter speaks much about submission. A man who experiences the true grace of God will always submit to authority wherever he goes. He will have no problem at all with submission. Sin originated in rebellion, long before Adam was created. The highest archangel rebelled against God's authority and became Satan immediately. That is why "rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft" (1 Samuel 15:23) - for a rebellious spirit brings one in touch with evil spirits, just as much as witchcraft does. Jesus overcame Satan by living in the very opposite way. He humbled Himself and came down to earth in perfect submission to His Father; and here on earth He submitted to imperfect Joseph and Mary for 30 years, for those were the human authorities His heavenly Father had placed over Him. The one who has experienced the true grace of God will experience salvation in his soul from the spirit of rebellion. If you have a problem in submitting to authority, you need to be saved in your soul.

Christians are called to submit to all human authorities, to kings, governors, etc., (1 Peter. 2:13, 14). At that time the emperor of Rome was Nero, one of the most wicked kings that ever ruled Rome, and one who persecuted and killed Christians. Yet Peter tells Christians not only to submit to him, but also to "honour the king" (1 Peter. 2:17). He also says that we must, "honour all men." (1 Peter. 2:17). Under the old covenant, the law was to honour aged people (Leviticus 19:32). But under the new covenant, we are to honour all people. The standard in every area is higher under the new covenant. Under the old covenant, people had to give 10% to God. In the new covenant, we have to give everything (Luke 14:33). Under the old covenant, one day was to be kept holy (the Sabbath). In the new covenant, every day is to be holy. Under the old covenant the firstborn male child had to be dedicated to God. In the new covenant, all our children are to be dedicated to God. A man who has experienced the grace of God has no difficulty in honouring all people. We are to be servants like Jesus, and so we are happy to honour everyone and to "consider all others as more important than ourselves" (Philippians 2:3).

Then he speaks specifically to servants and tells them to be submissive to their masters. All the apostles taught servants to submit to their masters. A Christian who has a spirit of rebellion against his authorities in his office or factory is a very poor witness for Christ. A Christian student who rebels against his teachers in school or college is also a very poor witness for Christ. Such a Christian has not understood "the true grace of God" at all. He has not understood that Jesus came and submitted to imperfect earthly parents for 30 years. This is a lesson we all need to learn. Servants be submissive to your masters with all respect. If you work in an office, factory, school, hospital or anything, you must show respect to those above you in that place.

We must teach our children to respect their teachers, and not to gang up with other children and make fun of the teachers. Servants must learn to show respect not only to those masters who are good and gentle but also to those who are unreasonable. It's easy to submit to a good master, but a Christian who has experienced "the true grace of God" will submit to an unreasonable master as well (1 Peter. 2:18). It is when you submit to an unreasonable master that your light shines as a Christian. A burning candle is not easily visible in the sunlight. But at night everyone can see its light. Even so, a Christian's light is seen most brightly when he is in dark surroundings.

There is no virtue in submitting patiently when you are punished for having done something wrong. But when you patiently endure suffering, even when you did what was right, then God is pleased with you (1 Peter. 2:20). Suffering unjustly is one of the great themes of Peter's letter. He goes on to say that that was exactly how Jesus also suffered. He suffered unjustly and has left us an example to follow in His steps. We are called here to" follow in His steps Who never sinned, Who never told a lie, Who never answered back when insulted; and Who, when He suffered, did not threaten to get even; but kept entrusting His case to God who judges righteously " (1 Peter. 2:21-23). This is how a Christian who has understood "the true grace of God" also behaves.