1st Peter 2:14. “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.” PUNISHMENT AND PRAISE.
“The wicked flee when no man pursueth,” so the scriptures say. Often those in authority face the wicked every day – They know better than I what the outcome of wickedness would be If those who control public behavior ignored the evil they see.
I will show respect to those God has chosen to lead – I may not always agree with them but to their authority I’ll heed. And seek to be a citizen who people can look to and say, “He is the kind of person I trust, so here I will live and stay.”
Part of our testimony is in how people see us act. They will be willing to believe our message knowing it is fact That those who love the Lord are model citizens – And the neighborhood will be safe, at least the house we live in.
It is right for me to acknowledge the good I see people do. It is right I give praise and honor those whose word is true. It is right that I respect the office that leaders hold. It is right when I don’t compromise God, to do what I am told.
When praise is appropriate to give, then from me it should be given. When praise for some special act is done, I should make it known to men. That praise is always for others, not praise directed to me – Ultimately the aim is for praise to be for God, and what He has allowed to be.
“There are those, Father God, who deserve recognition and there are those that deserve punishment. Give me the insight to give praise where it is due. Do the same I pray for those who are in authority in our city and country. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
Recognition of properly constituted authority is the way cooperation is maintained for the benefit for the greatest number of people. To be charged for breaking civil or moral laws is not consistent with our Christian commitment. To be persecuted for obeying God when the laws of a nation contradict the moral laws of God, is to be expected. An "ordinance" is a creation. An "ordinance of man" is a creation of mankind. Any true creation comes originally from God, the Creator, so we have to consider human ordinances in principle, as divine in origin unless they contradict the word of God. To disobey human institutions in a general sense, is to disobey God.
It is easier to do this under some political systems than under others. Peter was teaching these principles when he was under the rule of Nero; one of the evilest rulers of all time. It was under the practices of these very principles that he was put to death. Every ordinance that maintains the appropriate life of the citizens is to be submitted to for "the Lord's sake." Paying taxes, getting necessary licenses, buying and selling property - these all have costs and rules to which we must submit even though we may feel they are unfair. Any command by civil authority to do what the scriptures teach is sin, we must not do. We owe our allegiance to God and are guided by the scriptures and the Holy Spirit as to when it is right to not obey the rules people make.