All Authority Accepted Within Boundaries (1 Peter 2:13 - 3:2)

 2:13/ For the Lord's sake, accept all authority---the king as head of the state,

 2:14/and the officials he has appointed.  For the king has sent them to punish all who do wrong and to honor those who do right.

2:18/ You who are slaves must accept the authority of your masters.  Do whatever they tell you---not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are harsh.

2:19/ For God is pleased with you when, for the sake of your conscience, you patiently endure unfair treatment.

3:1/ In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands, even those who refuse to accept the Good News. Your godly lives will speak to them better than any words.  They will be won over.

3:2/by watching your pure, godly behavior.

3:7 In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat he with understanding as you live together.  She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life.  If you don't treat her as you should your prayers will not be heard.

The way I understand authority is like this.  It is not a free for all deal.  Those who are in authority don't have free rein over their subjects.  There are boundaries in which authority must operate and that's within the word of God.

In Acts 5:29 Peter says: "We must obey God rather than human authority." (This was within the context that the authorities of the time forbit anyone to preach openly.) 

Sometimes, human authority will step out of line of those boundaries and will go against the word of God and that is when we must obey God rather than man.

In the event of abusive relationships it would be right for the victim(s) to run away.  A person is no longer required to remain under an authority that is lording it over them.  There are plenty of options.

Yes, all authority must be accepted, but only obeyed within the framework of the authority of the Word of God. 

I hope you have a great day!

We have beautiful sunshine here in Northern British Columbia, but windy.

Enjoy the weather wherever you are and please leave a comment if you can.  God bless you!