Bible Reading: Ezekiel 17-19; Hebrews 13
“Obey them that have rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you .” Hebrews 13:17 (KJV)
There are two words that plays out in submission and exercise of authority in a Christian setting, they are OBEDIENCE and HONOUR. Everyone has someone he is answerable to in a Church gathering. In every organization there are hierarchies of reporting and decision making. No organization or business entity can exist without hierarchies of authorities and reporting lines, this is the purpose of organizational structures in any organization, church or even to the level of team formation. What empowers the sanity of the various reporting line or structure is the exercisable authority inherent at the various segment of the various organizations’ structure.
All these are also true in a Christian gathering or setting. The Christian gathering though more of a spiritual organization must of a necessity set out its’ hierarchies and the exercisable authority by the various positions. “And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee” Exodus 11:16(KJV). God instructed Moses to gather these men for Him to place upon them the spirit that was operating in Moses to enable them exercise authority over persons in their various jurisdiction. “And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied and did not cease” Exodus 11:25(KJV). This was the transfer of authority from Moses to Seventy Elders to exercise such authority on the persons within hierarchy and domain. Authority and a well defined exercise of such authority creates an orderly and effective organization.
No organization can thrive successfully without an effective and well-defined authority placed at the head of the various segment of the organization. This is also true in a spiritual setting such a Christian congregation. Knowing our reporting lines in our various department and obeying the authority of the headship of the department allows a free flow of the Spirit of God. God cannot be the author of confusion hence He encourage authority and respect for such authority. Obeying and honouring authority is a strong Christian virtue that must be in the front burner. As Christians we must not under any disguise compromise this virtue. The connecting link between leadership and followership is respect and honour for authority. The need to obey and submit to leadership in a Christian cannot be overemphasized. God has absolute regard for established authority. God’s dislike for disobeying and dishonouring authority could be seen in His swift and decisive action against Dathan and Abiram. “And what he did unto Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, the son of Reuben: how the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their households, and their tents, and all the substance that was in their possession, in the midst of all Israel” Deuteronomy 11:6 (KJV).
Divine intolerance against disobeying and dishonouring instituted authority can also be further illustrated by the account of Aaron and Miriam insubordination against Moses.
Ability to be a true follower and be obedient to authority is found in Christ, whom the bible said, “But made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” Philippians 2:7-8 (KJV). In admonishing us further on this, Apostle Paul said, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:5 (KJV)
My dear reader, you cannot have the mind that was in Christ Jesus without surrendering your life to Him. You must accept Him as your Lord and Saviour to attain the mind that was in Him.
Prayer: Oh Lord I desire to be like you, grant me the grace to follow your footstep in Jesus Name.
Pastor Joel Ezeugo