OBEDIENCE TO AUTHORITY

SERIES: THROUGH THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS

TEXT: EPHESIANS 6:1-9

INTRODUCTION

For the purpose of leadership GOD gives delegated authority to others. The scope of authority is limited to the authority given by God. God does not require us to obey delegated authority outside the legitimate sphere of their authority e.g a parent choosing for their child who to marry or for civil authorities telling their citizens which beliefs they must have.

There is no such thing as autonomous delegated authority. All delegated authority is under God’s authority. Although God often permits wicked people to hold positions of authority, the scriptures condemns the abuse of authority for the purpose of exploitation or oppression. Unless one is able to demonstrate from scripture or reason that obedience to delegated authority constitutes disobedience to God, one should obey.

More about delegated authority of God:-

CHILDREN, OBEY YOUR PARENTS-Eph. 6:1-3.

God has delegated some of His authority to parents: they can bless and they can curse and God effects their blessings or their curse.
Deut. 5:16 says that one must honor one’s parents that it may go well with him/her and that one will live long on the earth.
Moses said “honor your father and mother” and “whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.”
God requires of every believer to honor their parents even when they are not born again.
Obedience to your parents is a requirement of the faith as long as their demand does not conflict with obedience to God, for God’s authority is greater.
Even when parents are wrong your difference with them must be done with dignity.
Noah cursed his son Ham because Ham treated him with contempt. The curse worked.
Jacob cursed his 2 children Simeon and Levi. The curse worked. When Levites obeyed God, God reversed the curse.
How to honor your parents:-

Be thankful to them. Jesus our Lord constigated the Pharisees for giving offerings in the temple and neglecting the needs of their parents-Matthew 7:11.
Listen to them.
Visit them.
Forgive them.
Care for them, provide for them. Most parents bless after some gifts has been presented e.g Isaac-Genesis 27:25.

OBEDIENCE TO OTHER AUTHORITIES-Eph. 6:5-9.

EMPLOYER: we are commanded to obey those above us, in authority. Even if they are not believers we should obey-Titus 3:1. Insubordination to employer is not expected of a believer.
CHURCH. God has laid down some administration for church institutions. We are commanded to obey the servants of God that He has placed above us-Hebrews 13:7. We are commanded to treat church leaders with honor.
GOVERNMENT. Everyone must submit himself to the governing authority for there is no authority expect that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God-1st Peter 2:13-17; Luke 20:25; Romans 13:2; Daniel 4:32.
We are commanded that we must pray for our leaders, even those bad leaders-1st Timothy 2:1-3.

CONCLUSION