Grace in Focus Podcast Summary

Episode: Working Out Our Salvation – Government and Work (1 Peter 2:13-25)
Host: Bob Wilkin
Guest: David Renfro
Date: January 9, 2026
Duration: 13 minutes

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode explores how Christians should relate to government authorities and workplace relationships, based on 1 Peter 2:13-25. Bob Wilkin and David Renfro discuss maintaining a distinctively Christian attitude in the public sphere and at work, as an expression of sanctification and spiritual maturity—separate from justification. The conversation especially emphasizes submission, respect, suffering innocently, and following Christ's example as a means of “saving our souls” (gaining the fullness of life both now and in the coming age).

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Context: Salvation, Soul, and Fullness of Life

• [01:06 - 01:54]
  • “We are to save our souls. Our psuche, which refers to what? Ruling with Christ, being glorified with Christ. It's more than being born again, it's having fullness of life.” — Bob Wilkin
  • The fullness of life includes both the present and the life to come.
• The passage shifts from responsibilities to fellow believers to those outside the church, specifically government and work relations.

2. Christian Response to Government

• [02:06 - 04:39]
  • Christians are called to respect and submit to government authorities except when commanded to disobey God’s moral law.
  • “If the government says, you're going to pay income taxes, then we're going to pay income taxes because we're going to obey the government authority. Now, there is an exception, right? If the government requires us to do something contrary to God's moral commandments, then we would disobey. But aside from that, we're not free to disobey.” — Bob Wilkin [02:56]
  • “We need to have respect for others... That respect for others would include our government.” — David Renfro [01:54]
  • The instruction to “honor the king” applies regardless of the king or leader’s worthiness.
  • Not a call to social revolution: “The Christian is never called to be a social revolutionary. In other words, let’s revolt against the government authority to set up what we want.” — Citing Zane Hodges, via David Renfro [04:39]
  • Ministers are advised not to preach politics or endorse candidates from the pulpit.
    • “You give up that right once you step into the pulpit.” — Bob Wilkin [04:54]
  • Praying for government leaders is commended, citing practices in local churches and the example of Paul (1 Timothy 2).

3. The Call to Holy Living and Submission

• [06:43 - 07:40]
  • Obedience to government is part of God’s will, even when it's challenging.
  • “Sometimes we have to obey the government and it hurts. But it's the will of God. And you obey the will of God by obeying the government.” — David Renfro [06:47]
  • Succinct instructions: “Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”
    • Honor the office, not necessarily the person.

4. Workplace Relationships: Masters and Servants (Employer-Employee)

• [07:40 - 08:44]
  • The original context was slaves and masters; extended today to employers and employees.
  • “Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.” — Bob Wilkin [07:40]
  • Doing good and suffering unjustly is “commendable before God,” bringing His grace/favor.
  • “That word commendable is this word that normally is translated grace.” — David Renfro [08:33]

5. Christ’s Example in Suffering

• [08:44 - 11:22]
  • Christ sets the model for innocent, patient suffering in the face of injustice.
  • “He was innocent. He didn't deserve to die. And he suffered. And he was tortured before he was killed. And that might happen to some believers in the world.” — David Renfro [11:05]
  • The “healing” referenced in Isaiah 53:5 pertains to sanctification—spiritual wholeness through following Christ’s example, not necessarily physical healing.
    • “This healing... is sanctification. It's that we are to live righteously as a result of his atoning work.” — Bob Wilkin [10:04]
  • Suffering for doing good is “highly rewardable” in God’s sight.
  • Christ is both the Shepherd and Overseer (episkopos) of believers’ souls—a pastoral and authoritative role.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Submitting to Government:
  “We are to be people who are obedient to the government... if the government requires us to do something contrary to God's moral commandments, then we would disobey. But aside from that, we're not free to disobey.” — Bob Wilkin [02:56]
• On Honoring Authority:
  “It doesn't mean we admire the king or we imitate the king. We honor his authority, not his person.” — David Renfro [04:21]
• On the Example of Christ in Suffering:
  “Christ is our example of innocent suffering... If we suffer, we suffer innocently. We should not suffer like he said earlier, because we did something wrong. If we suffer, we suffer because we are following the Lord, we are faithful.” — David Renfro [10:27]
• On Reward for Suffering Well:
  “That's highly rewardable.” — Bob Wilkin [10:54]
• On Christ as Shepherd and Overseer:
  “He's our shepherd, he's our overseer, he's the one that's leading us and he's our example.” — Bob Wilkin [11:44]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:06 – Introduction to theme: saving our souls, fullness of life
• 02:06 – Respect and submission to government
• 02:56 – Limits of obedience to government (exception: disobeying God)
• 04:21 – Honoring the authority of political leaders
• 06:07 – Praying for leaders (1 Timothy 2)
• 06:47 – Obedience as God’s will, even when difficult
• 07:40 – Servant-master (employer-employee) relationships and suffering
• 08:33 – Suffering for good, receiving God’s grace/favor
• 10:04 – Isaiah 53 and sanctification vs. physical healing
• 11:05 – Christ’s innocent suffering as a model for Christians
• 11:44 – Christ as the Shepherd and Overseer

Tone and Language

The episode is conversational, biblical, and practical. Both speakers emphasize grace, a clear distinction between justification and sanctification, and grounding all application in Scripture. The encouragement is pastoral, focusing on encouragement to live righteously despite hardship or injustice.

Summary Takeaway

Peter’s teaching calls believers to exhibit respect, submission, and holiness in all relations—governmental and workplace—reflecting the character of Christ himself. Christians are not to pursue revolution or politicization, but rather, honor authority, suffer well for doing good, and entrust themselves to God’s righteous judgment, assured of his reward. Christ is the supreme example and shepherd, guiding believers to the fullness of life through sanctified living.