Obeying authority is an act of Faith. One trusts God to work through the order of authority that He has established.
Rejecting authority is rebelling against God (Romans 13: 1-2). We must recognize the authority in our leaders as the authority God has set. When we obey some authority delegated by God, we ourselves will be blessed. All those who obey the direct authority of God, but discard the delegated authority fall into rebellion.
It is an attitude of the heart to accept the decisions and guidance of authority, with the awareness that this is the way in which the government of God is established on earth. It is the fidelity that the members of the body of Christ have toward our coverages. It is to walk before God with transparency, living the established in His word.
Who should we hold?
- To God and to His commandments (Joshua 1: 8-9, 1 Samuel 15: 22a).
- To the parents (Ephesians 6: 1-3).
- To husbands (Ephesians 5: 22-24, 1 Peter 3: 1).
- To the spiritual authorities (Hebrews 13:17).
- To the rulers, civil and military authorities (Titus 3: 1).
- To those who make up the Body of Christ (Ephesians 5:21).
- To the heads, managers, employers (1 Peter 2:18).
- To the elders (1 Peter 5: 5).
What is opposed to restraint?
- The rebellion against God, His plans and His purposes of God (Hosea 11: 7).
- The works of the flesh (Galatians 5:17, 19-21).
- False doctrines and false teachers (Jude 10-13).
- Duality or double encouragement (James 1: 8).
When we accept Christ and have a close relationship with him, we know the will and purpose of our Heavenly Father. We are filled with his love and we become doers of his word, subjection becomes reality. As a consequence of all the above and guided by the Holy Spirit we can subject ourselves to the apostles, pastors, ministry leaders, and even secular authorities, as long as they do not contradict the divine laws.