Humbly Submitting to God's Authority

2 Peter 1:[1-2]--"Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,"

I believe it is very interesting How Peter begins this letter to the pilgrims of the dispersion. He says, "Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ," He greets them with His name, Simon Peter, the one in which was given to him personally by Christ. Peter then introduces himself as a bondservant and an apostle of Jesus Christ.

Bondservant--"Bond'servant, n. bond and servant. A slave; one who is subjected to the authority of another, or whose person and liberty are restrained."--King James Dictionary

Apostle--in latin is apostalus; in the greek means to send away, to sent.

"A person deputed to execute some important business; but appropriately, a disciple of Christ commissioned to preach the gospel."--King James dictionary

Peter calls Himself a servant or slave of Christ letting these people know that He was on an equal footing with these other Christians. Peter was an obedient slave of Christ because he was fufillling God's purpose for his life by preaching the gospel. Christ gave Peter the authority to preach the Gospel of Christ. Therefore, Christ did put him in a position of authority but he did not use his authority rather, he humbly calls himself a servant of Christ. Notice that Peter calls himself a bondservant before he calls himself an apostle of Jesus Christ. Even though Peter calls himself a servant he was confident in his position as an Apostle of Jesus Christ. Although Peter was in a postion of authority he did not brag or show off his position.

Peter was humble yet confident in his position as an apostle of Jesus Christ. Peter and all of the others disciples learned this kind of humility from Christ Himself.

Luke 22:[25-26]--"And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves."

Jesus exemplified humility with His life and did not assert his rights but gave up His glory and Authority to come to earth to become a man. Christ clothed Himself with humility by choosing to obey God by becoming a servant and dying for our sins so that God may be glorified.

Philippians 2:[5-7]--"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men."

God promises that if we choose to humble ourselves before Him and submit our lives to Jesus Christ as Master of our lives, God will reward us now in our life on this earth and in heaven.

Matthew 5:5--"Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth."

If we humble ourselves and yield to God's authority for our lives He will be our source of strength and confidence just as He was for Peter.

1 Peter 5:[5-7]--"Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “ God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

If we do not submit to God we forfeit His grace at work in our lives because He resists the proud. When we go through difficult circumstances in our lives we often fail to wait on God and try to take matters into our own hands. In these verses it clearly states that, God will exalt us in due time. When we become impatient at God's timing in our lives it is a sign that we are not submitting and humbling ourselves before Him. May we always submit and humbly cast our cares upon Him and trust Him to know whats best for our lives.

Have you bowed your heart before God and submitted and surrendered everything to His will for your life? Are you a humble Christian or are you one that uses your position in Christ to Lord over people? Are you clothed with humility as Christ was when He came to earth as a servant of God? Are you patiently waiting on Gods promised blessings in your life?

Serving Our Lord Together,
Michelle Harrison