A MAN UNDER AUTHORITY
We live in a rebellious society where people find it difficult to adhere to instructions and obey orders. Unfortunately, we’re at a time and era where people do not like to be told what to do. Little surprises both adult and children rebel against authority and do not follow directions. Our roads users do not follow road signals, city limits, no drinking and no driving rules; citizen do not observe silent zones, no texting while driving, etc. Folks come to Church but do not want to fall under the authority of Christ and the Church. The Pastor is under the authority of God and Christ because Christ is the head of His body, the Church; He is the source of the body’s life [Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 4:15]. While God is the Head of Christ and Christ is the head of a man; man is the head of woman. Under Christ authority every different parts of the body fit together and the whole body is held together by every joint with which it is provided [1 Corinthians 11:3, 16]. I believe one of the reasons for the proliferation of Churches is the fact that many pastors hate to stay under authority. Some have been known to rebel against the authority of their founders [Senior Pastor] on flimsy reasons and walk away without blessings. The result is liberty under curses and struggles. Many of them labor without fruitfulness in ministry because of rebellion.
Even in the Old Testament, some people rebelled against Moses, God’s chosen servant and the repercussion was that they suffered from leprosy. Absalom, King David’s son rebelled against his father and was killed in the counter attack. Today, folk’s rebel against authorities in marriage, and the result is conflicts, living lonely together or separation and divorce. Little surprise that our youths do not only rebel but revolt against authority of parents, schools, Government and the society they live in, etc. As a matter of fact every human being is under authority of some sort. Even within Trinity, there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word [Christ] and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one [1 John 5:7]. God is the supremacy of Christ and Jesus calls Him, my Father. Whatever the Father does He shows to the Son; gave the son an authority to execute judgment. The Son can do nothing of His own but seek the will of the father who sent Him [John 5; 20, 26-30]. Jesus said, My Father is greater than I [John14:28b]. The Holy Spirit also testifies of Christ and does not speak of His own authority but whatever Christ speaks….He will glorify Christ for He will declare only what’s Christ [John16:13-14]. God does operate in order; He’s neither a Democrate nor a Republican. He has His sovereignty and does whatever He likes. He also rules with authority and power; expects total obedience. Disobedience is synonymous with witchcraft and arrogance is as sinful as idolatry – sins against God’s authority and commandment [1Samuel 15:23].
The biblical Centurion was not a believer but a good man. He was a captain in Roman Army and was stationed in Capernaum; a man shaped and disciplined by his profession. A Centurion is a captain of 100 soldiers in a Roman legion whose duties includes: drilling of men and inspection of arms and food; keeping them combatant ready and commands them in camp and field. There are many centurions in the scripture but our concern here is the one that exhibited great faith [Matthew 8:1-13]. When you’re groomed to follow instructions at home from parents and grown folks, you will be able to obey authorities at schools, in the city, in the church and in the society. The centurion was a man who gave and obeyed orders and instructions; he understood that obedience is better than sacrifice [1Samuel 15:22b]. He loved and cared for his household, even his servant. This man came to Jesus and said to Him, “Lord, my servant is sick in bed, paralyzed and dreadfully tormented.” Against his widest imaginations, Jesus said to him, “I shall come and heal him.” The centurion was amazed and humbled by Jesus’ reply. He quickly replied, Oh no my Lord, I am not worthy to have you under my roof, but just speak a word [give an order] and my servant will get well. When Jesus heard what the centurion said, He was surprised yet full of compassion and said to the crowd around him, I have never found any faith like this in Israel. I am sure many with such faith will come from East and West and sit down at the feast in the kingdom of heaven. While those who should be in the kingdom but neither fear God nor have deep faith in Him will be throne out into the darkness of hell where they will cry and gnash their teeth. Jesus then turned to the officer and said, go home and because of your strong faith, what you believe shall be done unto you. At that very moment, the officer’s servant received healing.
Some folks would’ve wanted Jesus to come to their homes, pray fire prayer and touch them, anoint them, and cast out the demon. Others would have asked Jesus to bless and sanctify bottles of oil and handkerchiefs before they believe on the healing power of Jesus. They would’ve asked: how much it will cost to come to their houses? Some others will ask for a blessing to get wealth and riches, etc. But this officer just asked Jesus to speak a word. He understood the power of spoken word; of an instruction and authority. He knew that if you have the authority and power, your word carries the power and weight of your authority. Even though, he was not a believer and may never have entered a Church but trusted the power and the words of Jesus. He was a man under authority and understood what it is to be under authority in the military, at home, in the Church and in government.
Why then do some folks rebel against authority? Is it just a human inconsistency or neglect? Could it be caused by misuse or abuse of authority or simply refusal to take to corrections? Is it a reaction to the abuse, bias and prejudices in the system? I believe some people need deliverance from the spirit of rebellion. If you watch well some who rebel at Church also rebel at home, in school, at work place, in the society etc. As long as they can’t will the system, they complain, find faults and rebel as well as instigate revolution. We do not need wealth, friendship, social or Church connection; what we need is the word spoken under anointing and authority. Jesus said the word I speak is Spirit and life. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken [John 15:3]. Your word is settled in heaven; it’s sharper than two edged sword. Let our prayers be, Lord speak a word and we shall experience a turn around and our heavy burden shall be lifted; we shall be casted of every monitoring spirit of the underworld. A word spoken in faith and under anointing of God brings healing and restoration; uncommon changes and wellness. Are you a person under authority? You should learn to respect and obey orders.
Apostle Paul advised believers, “Let every soul be subject unto higher powers and authority. For there is no power but God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resists the authority resisted the ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation” [Romans 14:1-2]. Those in highest authority on earth should realize that they are under the authority of a higher authority and powers of God of creation. They are urged to treat those under them with the highest sense of responsibility and accountability; with justice and mercy. Again their words should be their bonds. Parents who are the primary molders of children and their future should train in love their young on the power of instructions and orders. Little wonder that the book of proverbs of Solomon urges children to adhere to the instructions of their parents for the years of their life shall be many [Proverbs 4:1, 10; 6: 20-23].
Reach: Evangelist Ogbonnaya, Godswill at: weefreeministries@yahoo.com or P. 0. Box 720035, Houston, Texas, 77272.