"And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." Matthew 3:18
Peter was a good example of one who knew how to submit to authority. God's laws always supersede the laws of men, so how are we to submit to authority if our government opposes the Word of God with any of its mandates? We do as Peter did, for he was emulating the way in which Jesus interacted with officials during His own crucifixion.
In the days preceding Peter's own final imprisonment and subsequent crucifixion, the Bible establishes a clear pattern of behavior which exemplifies the way in which all Christians should conduct themselves when faced with persecution from government or otherwise. As Peter awaited his fate in prison, having defied the authorities by continuing to preach the name of Jesus, he share the Gospel with the prison guards. When a chance to escape availed itself, he refused to take it......for that would be breaking the law. When facing the authorities and being told he would be crucified, his only request was that he should be crucified upside down, for he considered himself unworthy to die the same death as his Savior. Having done nothing to deserve death, Peter submitted to authority by speaking no evil, preaching only God's Word, and allowing himself without uttering one hateful word, to be crucified. Just exactly as Christ had done.
The book of Acts also records how Peter, Paul and the other apostles conducted themselves while under persecution.
"And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ."
Acts 5:40-42
How did Peter and the other Apostles react to having been beaten? They REJOICED at having been counted as worthy to suffer shame for His name......and then they continued to preach the name of Jesus Christ! This is a tough act to follow, and a perfect example of how the Apostles were able to 1) Obey God's commandment to preach the Gospel and 2) by rejoicing rather than criticizing the leadership which had ordered their beatings, they were simultaneously honoring God's command to respect and submit to authority. I guarantee this did more to promote the name of Jesus than if they had chosen to be bitter and criticize the authorities. They were demonstrating Jesus' own actions prior to His crucifixion, as it was written in Matthew 12:19 "He will not quarrel nor cry out, Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets." This does not sound like One who was speaking ill of the government, even when faced with His own demise, rather both Jesus and the Apostles took seriously God's admonition to "speak evil of no one."
There is much wisdom in these words because criticism and badmouthing never solve a problem rather, they only lead to division, anger and strife. In fact if we read the entire text, we soon see that we are also called to be peaceable.
"Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. "
Titus 3:1-3
The message is clear. Submit and speak evil of NO ONE. Like it or not, this even includes Vladimir Putin and others who have committed even more heinous crimes. Beware the temptation to make excuses or otherwise seek loopholes in what the Word of God says, for you know who prompts us to that line of thinking.
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
It's time we get out our spiritual swords, folks. In these troubled times, rather than criticizing governments and each other, we should put on the Armor of God and have each others' backs. Instead of putting down other people, we should be lifting up the name of Jesus, the Mighty Conqueror, keeping our eyes firmly fixed upon and always directing the lost....and each other....to the Cross.
Believing that our negative words and criticisms can ever bring about peace is foolish and seems to me to imply that we haven't the faith that the weapon of God's Word can. Let us take to heart the admonition given in Hebrews
"but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."
And
"encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."
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