09/05/17 REJECTING AUTHORITY AND LEADERSHIP
Rebellion not only resists legitimate authority, it shuns legitimate leadership. If you read this and don't what it says, then it probably applies to you.
There is authority and leadership in every arena of life.
Rebellion not only resists legitimate authority, it shuns legitimate leadership. If you read this and don't what it says, then it probably applies to you.
There is authority and leadership in every arena of life.
And there are insurgents in every arena of life, refusing authority and leadership.
And yes, there are demigods and usurpers in every arena of life abusing their leadership and authority.
In this article, I am going to refer to legitimate parental and pastoral authority and leadership.
Parenting and pastoring are very similar in nature, because they have a common origin, purpose and goal. God appointed parents (fathers in particular) and pastors to lead and train and discipline and encourage people in serving God and living their lives by Biblical standards.
However, this article has to do with leadership more than with authority. (I often address the question of authority in the home and in the church).
The person who is obstinate, rebellious, self centered, not only resists and rejects authority, he/she doesn't even like leadership. Let me illustrate with a sports model.
The coach calls his team together. The coach (or the coaching staff) shows the players how to catch or throw, field or hit, dribble or kick. The teaching, the leading is not a matter of "THOU SHALT... (whatever)." It is a matter of, "Here is how to... (whatever)." Some people don't want to be told that they must do certain things or do certain things in a certain way, even when they are being told by a person who has the right to instruct and direct them. But the rebellious spirit moves from resisting and rejecting authority to resisting and rejecting leadership. They quit listening to loving, legitimate guidance. They not only choose their own way, they don't even listen to any helpful instruction. This leads to failure and friction in the team (the family, the church).
This can happen either because they do not have respect for the leader or because they have no respect for any leadership. They can be so self oriented and puffed up that they don't even give respect or consideration to anyone else.
This mentality is not only directed toward other people, it is raised against God. When the parent or pastor teaches Biblical truths, the rebellious person does not accept the validity of the teaching. When the parent or pastor has to enforce that which should have been readily accepted, the rebel becomes more obstinate and disruptive.
It is better to follow the direction of legitimate leadership than to be confronted with authority. God would rather have us follow and obey Him because we desire to do His will than to force us to do His will, or to punish us for not doing His will.
Families are better off when the members work together in harmony than being forced into subjection by the hand of authority.
Churches are better of when the people are eager to learn and follow godly leadership than to choose their rebellious own way of resistance and rejection.
Submission, humility, surrender, service, kindness, compassion, self denial are good and essential qualities in the most Christ like Christians.
If you don't yield to authority, you will eventually reject leadership as well. Rebelling against authority and leadership is not a characteristic of a Christian.
Parenting and pastoring are very similar in nature, because they have a common origin, purpose and goal. God appointed parents (fathers in particular) and pastors to lead and train and discipline and encourage people in serving God and living their lives by Biblical standards.
However, this article has to do with leadership more than with authority. (I often address the question of authority in the home and in the church).
The person who is obstinate, rebellious, self centered, not only resists and rejects authority, he/she doesn't even like leadership. Let me illustrate with a sports model.
The coach calls his team together. The coach (or the coaching staff) shows the players how to catch or throw, field or hit, dribble or kick. The teaching, the leading is not a matter of "THOU SHALT... (whatever)." It is a matter of, "Here is how to... (whatever)." Some people don't want to be told that they must do certain things or do certain things in a certain way, even when they are being told by a person who has the right to instruct and direct them. But the rebellious spirit moves from resisting and rejecting authority to resisting and rejecting leadership. They quit listening to loving, legitimate guidance. They not only choose their own way, they don't even listen to any helpful instruction. This leads to failure and friction in the team (the family, the church).
This can happen either because they do not have respect for the leader or because they have no respect for any leadership. They can be so self oriented and puffed up that they don't even give respect or consideration to anyone else.
This mentality is not only directed toward other people, it is raised against God. When the parent or pastor teaches Biblical truths, the rebellious person does not accept the validity of the teaching. When the parent or pastor has to enforce that which should have been readily accepted, the rebel becomes more obstinate and disruptive.
It is better to follow the direction of legitimate leadership than to be confronted with authority. God would rather have us follow and obey Him because we desire to do His will than to force us to do His will, or to punish us for not doing His will.
Families are better off when the members work together in harmony than being forced into subjection by the hand of authority.
Churches are better of when the people are eager to learn and follow godly leadership than to choose their rebellious own way of resistance and rejection.
Submission, humility, surrender, service, kindness, compassion, self denial are good and essential qualities in the most Christ like Christians.
If you don't yield to authority, you will eventually reject leadership as well. Rebelling against authority and leadership is not a characteristic of a Christian.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.