1 Peter 2:14 KJV
[14] “or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.”
The rule of obedience to authority that Peter lays out is first to the king as supreme and then to the governor. The governors are those under the supreme authority who administer the laws and execute justice. Their civil duty was to punish those who do evil and praise those who do good, but they did not always carry it out that way during Peter’s day, and we have the same injustices today. Again, as Christians, we are responsible to respect the office even if we cannot respect the officer.
In the Book of Acts, we read of some unjust governors. Pilate, Felix, and Festus were all unjust and corrupt. These men had unlimited powers and accountability. They would administer the daily affairs of their province and act as supreme leaders. They had the power of life and death. Think about the high levels of corruption practiced in Peter’s day. He lived most of his life in the Holy Land and was under the authority of men with no regard for morals or justice. Felix was open to bribery, Festus was biased, and Pilate was cruel and weak. Despite all this, the law is still the law, and submission is still God’s plan.
We are to obey God rather than man as it pertains to His Word. We should never be obedient to the laws of the land when they go against the law of God. Our Bible is our supreme mandate, and we are to submit to local authorities for the Lord’s sake. A good example would be that of a soldier given the command by his superior to kill innocent women and children. The soldier has a responsibility to obey what God has said about murder instead of carrying out a wicked act given by his commanding officer.
It is heartbreaking to see the wicked rule and defy God with their laws and actions. We must remember that the Lord is always in control. The politicians of our day are no different than the politicians of Peter’s day. They are just puppets in the hands of a Holy God. He is the Supreme authority, and nothing happens that does not first pass through His hands. We see so much lawlessness today because of God’s judgment for turning away from Him. It is also preparation for the Lord Jesus Christ to return and set the record right!