In last week’s article, we studied some areas where our need for obedience is quite obvious (if we are to be saved and be granted an entrance into heaven), and yet still demanding—i.e., obedience to God, to Christ and to His Word. Obeying that which is divine is expected. But we must also fully understand and accept that He who is divine has called upon us to obey certain ones on this earth, and our decision to obey (or not obey) these ones reflects our decision to obey (or not obey) our God.
God calls upon us to obey our parents. “Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord” (Col. 3:20). The only time children could choose to not obey their parents is if such obedience would cause them to disobey God (Acts 5:29). Obeying parents is at the same time obeying God.
God calls upon us to obey our employers. This might be surprising to some, but the instructions to servants toward their masters is applicable today to employees toward their employers. “Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God…as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord” (Col. 3:22+Eph. 6:6). The only time an employee could choose to not obey his employer is if such obedience would cause him to disobey God (Acts 5:29). Obeying employers is at the same time obeying God.
God calls upon us to obey our civil rulers. This may make some uncomfortable and cause some to even seek loopholes, but consider that these instructions were written while Roman tyrants, such as Nero, were ruling. “Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey…subject to the governing authorities…subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution” (Tit. 3:1+Rom. 13:1+1 Pet. 2:13). The only time a citizen could choose to not obey civil rulers is if such obedience would cause him to disobey God (Acts 5:29). Obeying civil rulers is at the same time obeying God.
God calls upon us to obey our elders in the church. Some have tried to diminish this responsibility somehow and suggest it doesn’t apply to them, but Scripture is very clear. “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account” (Heb. 13:17). The only time a Christian could choose to not obey the elders is if such obedience would cause him to disobey God (Acts 5:29). Obeying our elders in the church is at the same time obeying God.
God has commanded our obedience. To choose to not obey these ones would be to choose to not obey God.