Obey Your Authority

The word “obey” means “to comply with the command, direction, or request of a person or law; submit to the authority of.” 

When you are driving your car on the highway, and you come up to a stop sign, should you keep going and blow right through the sign? Or should you slow down and come to a stop? Obviously you should stop. When you do this, you are obeying the traffic laws.

Another example of the word obey is as simple as the family dog. When properly trained, your dog will do many tricks and commands. You may tell it to sit, and when it sits, you reward it for their obedience. 

The same goes for children. Children are commanded to obey their parents. A parent may ask a child to do some chores around the house. They could choose to be disobedient and not heed the command, but they will not be rewarded for not listening. Obedience to a parent will make that parent happy with their son or daughter. Often, many parents will reward obedience with candy or toys or other special privileges. The Lord will also be pleased with an obedient child.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.” Ephesians 6:1

“Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.” Colossians 3:20

I’m sure almost all of you have been in a supermarket or retail store and witnessed a child screaming at the top of their lungs, upset about something. Maybe they wanted a bag of candy, but because of their disobedience earlier in the day, their parents tell them that they can’t have it. Disobedience caused them to lose out on a reward.

Everyone has an authority that they need to answer to.  

“But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” 1 Corinthians 11:3

The word “head” used in this verse means “director; leader; one in charge.” So, men are commanded to be in obedience to Jesus, women are commanded to be in obedience to the man, and Jesus is in obedience to God the Father. 

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.” Colossians 3:18

The word “submit” means “to yield oneself to the authority or will of another; to obey.” A wife should submit herself to the will and authority of her husband. Sadly, it is a rare thing in this world that this verse is heeded and obeyed. Instead of submitting to their husbands, many women instead feel that they are in charge of the family, and that men should obey them and do what they want. But this is completely contrary to what the Apostle Paul taught. 

Men are supposed to be subject, or yield to the authority of Christ. Men need to follow in Christ’s footsteps and teach others about the gospel. Men are commanded to rule over their house, and instruct their family in the teachings of our Lord.

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.” Romans 13:1-5

Just as a private in the military is subject to a lieutenant, and a lieutenant is subject to a general, the order of authority in Christianity is 1. God the Father, 2. Jesus the Son, 3. men, and 4. women. We all have our authority as we live here: make sure that in whatever you do, you are being obedient.

In Christ,

Andrew