Are You Safely Under God’s Umbrella of Protection?
I’m still learning..what about you?
In Adult Life Group tonight we learned that as believers we are to be subject and submissive to to those God has placed in authority over us. God set up the principle of authority and it would do us all well to learn it, follow it and experience the freedom and blessing God gives when we do. The “umbrella of protection” is ours as long as we stay under God’s principle of authority in Government, Home, Church and Work. It’s when we begin to “take over”, “do it our way” and not follow God’s authority (those in leadership) that we begin to get out from under the umbrella of His protection. Too many Christians want to take the authority and run with it – that’s why there are so many troubled churches. Diotrophes was a man that was operating in opposition to God’s principle of authority. He desired to “run things” and always had a “better idea” rather than follow the man God had placed in his life as his spiritual authority. So many today in the church want to lead instead of follow God’s man. There can only be one leader – one under shepherd and that is the pastor. The Pastor will answer to God for the way he handles, leads and guides the church body. The members will not be responsible answer for how things go at the church – UNLESS they seek to usurp authority and cause division in the church. When we begin to step outside that umbrella of protection then we are walking in a very dangerous way. Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. Witchcraft is the devils realm and when you rebel against God and those He has placed in authority (President, Parents, Husband, Pastor, Boss) then you are dealing with the same spirit of rebellion that is a sin and in the devil’s realm. Maybe it would do ALL of us good (myself included) to give thought to our attitude and actions toward those in authority over us. How about you? Do you follow those God has called to be over you or do you prefer to “run things” and always have a “better idea”? May God help us all to follow those He has in authority over us so that we might honor His will for our lives. Pastor James