Though pride hobbles
our willingness to accept it, the powers that be in our lives
are hand picked of GOD. This especially includes the
spiritual authority in HIS Church:
"And HE gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting
of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of
the body of CHRIST:" ... as
well as civil powers over us at all levels of government:
"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."
In HIS omniscient awareness of our bent to
rationalize rebellion, HE also includes this counsel from
Peter's first letter:
"Servants, be subject
to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle,
but also to the froward."
If it is true that no powers exist outside
the perfect will of GOD, then our issue is never leadership, but follership; and so far as we are not directed to disobey HIM,
we are commanded to obey them.
The writer of
Hebrews offers us three excellent reasons to remember, in
particular, those best rulers GOD places over us:
-
Rulers Have A Plan
~ "... the
word of GOD:"
-
Rulers Have A Path
~ "... whose
faith follow"
-
Rulers Have A Place
~ "...
considering the end of their conversation."
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end
thereof are the ways of death."
Our heart makes for a wanton navigator, and
an even worse chauffeur! If left at the wheel long enough,
it is certain to steer us head long
into Hell.
"Enter ye in at the
strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that
leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:"
JESUS beckons us to abandon the
vehicle of the flesh at the Cross-road, and go it afoot,
stepping through the
"strait gate: ... which
leadeth unto life,"
The Bible provides a most accurate 'Profit and Boss'
statement for the rule we choose to follow ... The pressing
question for today is: What does your
spiritual portfolio
reveal about your follership?
"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves:
for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account,
that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is
unprofitable for you."