TRUST AND OBEY

Under Authority

 

“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.” (John 15:10 (NIV)

 

I admit it!  I hate being told what to do.  I don’t like to obey rules that I think are wrong, or inconvenient.  I often think my ideas are better than those of the leaders over me.  Some of you may feel the same way.  Yet, as Christian women we are under authority.  That means that we are submitted to God and to those God has placed over us.  That includes civil authorities we think are incompetent, foolish, or even wicked, church leaders, and supervisors and bosses.  We wives are subject to our husbands even when we think they are not making the best decisions. 

 

Many have been distressed to hear of local rulings governing religious practices that seem intended to hinder our expressions of Christianity.  This is upsetting but we cannot consider our concerns for too long.  Nothing pleases the enemy of our souls more than to get us thinking about your comfort, our security, our peace of mind, and our rights. It takes our eyes off the ball.  Nowhere in scripture are we instructed to concern ourselves about our circumstances in this world, obsessed with protecting ourselves from harm, or fearing the persecutions to come.  We differ from the world because we believe in the supernatural powers of God.  That means that we obey God and let God take care of us.  It is the very fact that this doesn’t make sense that keeps us trusting, obeying and believing. 

 

The thing is that our primary task on earth as Christians is to become more like Christ.  God is completely in charge of the curriculum that shapes us.  Whatever it takes to make us more like Christ, the Father will allow, even require.  Christ assured us that he does nothing that is not commanded by the Father.  This is what it means to be under authority.  In military service, where authority is fully understood, one stands where he is told, walks where he is told, and does what he is told, despite the hardship or danger involved.  This makes no sense, and yet this is the source of the power of the military. 

 

We cannot allow the world’s wickedness or our feelings to determine our actions. Our obedience is required.

 

 

“During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.” Hebrews 5:7-9 (NIV)