Submitting To Authority

[dave c]

HEALING SHELTER MINISTRIES #131y Re-Written 11FEB09 http://groups.msn.com/AHealingShelter/welcome.msnw

Save Me Today—Part Twenty-Five: Submitting To Authority

by rev dave c

Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you (He 13:17 -NIV).

Whether we are a brand new convert or 50 years in the Faith, Satan’s trap of confronting authority in an un-Godly fashion has to be one of the most frequent manifestations of Christian immaturity. We can slip so easily from what may be a legitimate disagreement with a particular action, policy, or statement and into a prideful demonstration of rebellion against leadership. It is so hard for us to grasp the fact that as soon as we stiffen our necks against the governing authority instituted by God, we are inviting His wrath upon ourselves. Just ask Korah (Nu 16) ...or me. “...But, I know I’m right!,” you say? Perhaps—but you can go to Hell being “right.” Ask the thief who mocked the Son of God as they were being crucified. He was right...Jesus is the Christ. He was right...Jesus could have saved Himself from the cross. He was right...Jesus could have eternally saved both thieves (Lu 23:32-43). Just being “right” is far from sufficient for salvation and life in the Kingdom of God.

If this sounds a bit strong, please consider the following verses from Chapter 13 of Romans: 1 Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves ... 5 Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake (NAS). Submission is not just a good idea—it is essential for the sanctification aspects of salvation and for a clear conscience.

For all of a person’s giftings and talents, it comes to naught if that person fails to be submitted to a covering authority. It is more than frustrating and disappointing for a Christ ordained leader to meet someone who feels that he, or she, is called of God into some facet of ministry, and yet is unwilling to bring his/her spirit of independence under the blood of Christ. This condition is generally demonstrated by a need to dominate situations and it quickly becomes evident that they consider their relationship with Christ as just a little closer...a little deeper...a little more important than for most, if not all, of those around them. Although words are carefully couched in “Christian-ese” jargon, their attitudes reveal far more about the spiritual condition of their hearts than they realize. ...As [a man] thinks within himself, so he is (Pr 23:7, NAS) ...For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks (Mt12:35; NIV). Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you (Ro 12:3b; NIV). In First Corinthians 8:2&3, Paul exhorts us, The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. But the man who loves God is known by God (NIV).

Jehovah tells us in Malachi 1:6-8, "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" says the LORD Almighty. "It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name. "But you ask, `How have we shown contempt for your name?' "You place defiled food on my altar. "But you ask, `How have we defiled you?' "By saying that the LORD's table is contemptible. When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?" says the LORD Almighty (NIV). We see the New Testament era version of this same warning reflected in the words of Christ from Matthew 5:21-24: "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, `Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, `Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, `You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift (NIV). We are the priests of this, the age of the Church (1Pe 2:9), and our sacrificial gifts to be placed upon the altar of God are righteous living (Ro 12:1), thankful praise, and good deeds (He 13:15&16). Righteousness, praise, and works that are tainted by a rebellious spirit of contention, jealousy, and bitterness are “blind, crippled, and diseased animals” that dishonor God. The Lord demands our best.

“What do I do if I am guilty of having a rebellious spirit?” Repent and ask forgiveness—first from God the Father, then from all others who are involved. Know that you are in good company...I doubt that there is a Christian living or dead who has not born this sin in their thoughts, if not in their flesh, on a frequent basis. One major difference between a “babe in Christ” and an adult is the willingness to confess and seek forgiveness openly and in an expeditious manner. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death (2Co 7:10; NIV). Repentance, however, can come only from a true servant’s heart. Like “agape” (that is, “selfless”) love, it must be by definition unconditional. “I’m sorry if...I’ll apologize when...If I ask your forgiveness then you...,” is not repentance—it is bartering for socio-emotional position and it only compounds the sin of presumptuous arrogance. Psalm 51:17 states, The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. “I ask you, Jesus, to forgive me my acts of rebellion. Beginning with my own, Lord, please break our spirits and grant us broken and contrite hearts (NIV).” Amen.

[MacUser]

Amen.

You illustrated it perfectly as with the knife of skilled surgeon. In the past I have witnessed these very sad things unfold and did my very best to stand in the gap and compel forgiveness, healing and subjection.

If the disenchanted parties are to fully have any closure or chance for any possible productive future... sober, loving forgiveness must be given freely and apologies rendered publicly.

Yet, it's been my experience that it typically falls on deaf ears.


Thanks Again.