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Using History In Your Daily Life
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““It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding.” – Daniel 2:21
Watchman Nee in Spiritual Authority speaks about how delegated authority is the same as direct-divine authority. He references how God IS authority and puts people in certain delegated positions to be obedient to. If we can be subject to delegated authority, then we indirectly are subject to God’s authority. Just as all human body parts are subject to the head/brain. However, the left hand has no authority over the right hand and vice versa.
The parable of the Vineyard/Tenants speaks about how the men were disobedient to God’s/owner’s delegated authority, which was an indirect disobedience to God’s/owner’s direct authority. So, in this blog post I will be discussing the importance of obedience, if there is a time to be disobedient, and the wrath of rebellion.
Becoming obedient increases your spiritual progression to God.
Importance of Obedience
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” – John 14:15
Can one call upon authority if one is disobedient?
As humans with a weak flesh, we must be obedient to God’s law. When we truly transform, our ability to be obedient to God increases. Obedience to God’s law allows our flesh to become purer and allows for us to keep our eyes to Heaven.
Referring back to John 14:15, we must be obedient to God’s commandments if you want to love Him. He also writes in 1 John 4:8 that, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” Therefore, if we are not obedient to God’s commandments, we cannot love God, nor know God. Knowing God is the basis of life, as Dr. Westblade says that the way we see God, is how we see life.
So, if we do not know God, our prayers will be weaker, flesh will be weaker, and spirit will be weaker.
When we finish prayer with, “In Jesus name,” we are calling upon Jesus’ authority to intercede our prayers, our body, and our life. When we fall into sin, and become disobedient to God’s law, our trust in the Lord indirectly decreases.
This is proven on both sides of the spectrum, by James 5:16 stating, “The prayer of a righteous person has greater power and it is working.” On the flip side, Psalm 66:18 states, “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.”
So, if the one who is obedient has greater power, and if you have iniquity in your heart the prayer is weakened, then obedience is of utmost importance.
Is There a Time to Be Disobedient?
“But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.'” – Acts 5:29
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” – Romans 13:1-2
If God’s delegated authority on Earth should be obeyed, is there ever a reasonable time to disobey?
As Christians with a serving heart, we must be obedient to God’s delegated authority. As well as God’s divine, direct authority. What this entails, is that God put a man into a position of power or authority for a reason. So, we must be obedient to this delegation as well.
When the Parable of the Tenants (Matthew 21:33-45) was spoken to the Pharisees by Jesus Christ, He was symbolizing how people disrespected God’s delegated authority. Therefore, God will have his vengeance on the ones who are disobedient to His delegated authority.
However, if the delegated authority is disrespectful to your divine virtues, then us as Christians can choose the obedience of God over man. We can still be obedient to authority, while not submitting to their will. This is only of the world, not as of God.
Think of a time where your parents wanted you to do something, but there was legitimate reason to not follow their will. This is not being disobedient or not honoring your parents. Rather, we say, “I am still your child,” and have open discussion.
Just because we do not submit to delegated authority, choosing God in the process, does not mean we are indirectly being disobedient to God.
In Acts 5, the High Priest told Peter and the apostles to not preach in Jesus Christ name. They responded that they are obedient to God over man. This proves that they understood the authority of the High Priest, but will always choose God over man.
Wrath of Rebellion
“For rebellion is as the sin of divination.” – 1 Samuel 15:23
“An evil man seeks only rebellion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him.” – Proverbs 17:11
Rebellion is the opposite of obedience; Satan is the opposite of Jesus Christ; Satan rebelled against God; therefore, rebellion is of Satan. If one is not obedient, they are rebellious, and not of God or with God.
Human nature is to be rebellious, as sin is pleasureful. Not all things that are pleasing are good, as mentioned in Ecclesiastes 2: 1-11. So, when we are obedient to God’s commandments, and humble ourselves before authority, we are directly showing that we are saying no to the flesh, and yes to the soul. We are being obedient to God, and disobedient to our flesh. Which increases our righteousness, soul strength, prayer power, and trust.
Although it is tough at times to not be indirectly rebellious, we must ask God to give us obedience and asks for what He desires of us. When we submit ourselves to God, and humble, love, and fear Him all the same, then we can be obedient. We can now be on the path of righteousness.
Do not dwell if you are disobedient to God, or sin before God; we are humans, we are not perfect. However, repentance is showing that you are trying to transform. Empty words do not suffice, you must be actively trying to transform yourself and be obedient to God.
Build His kingdom, not Satan’s.
