Pilgrims and Kings

What is the fundamental Christian response to human government? Could you sum it up in just one word? According to 1 Peter 2:13-17 (and other texts) the proper response is submission. This text is the first in a series of examples that Peter offers of difficult submission relationships. In each the Christian is called to submit in order to build a testimony for the gospel. These are worst-case scenarios that remove our tendency to view our trials as special cases! The apostle offers two reasons why heavenly citizens obey earthly kings: i.) submission confronts the foolish (vv.13-16); ii.) submission conforms to godliness (v.17).