Obedience to Authority is a Great Matter

 

Obedience to Authority is a Great Matter

Phil 2:5-11 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father

Rev 22:3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him

Luke 22:42 Father, if You are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but Yours be done

Heb 5:8-9 Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered and, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him

Rom 1:5 Through Him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for His name's sake

Titus 3:1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good

 

Aspect	Meaning	Reason	Examples	Application	Related Scriptures
Service	Obedience is the necessary condition and fundamental principle for serving God	Only when we see the principle of obedience can we serve God; only by obeying like the Lord can we maintain God's principle	• Jesus' obedience as our example in service • Apostles embodying the principle of obedience in service	• Complete submission to God's authority in church service • Serve with Christ's heart as our heart • Must not have a rebellious attitude, for no sin is uglier than rebellion	Matt 4:10 Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only Matt 20:28 The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve Acts 6:2 It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables
Suffering	Suffering is the necessary path to learning obedience and the touchstone of true submission	The Lord's obedience was learned through suffering; true obedience is shown when one can still obey in the midst of suffering	• Jesus' obedience in Gethsemane • Jesus' obedience on the cross • The Lord came to earth not bringing obedience, but learned obedience through suffering	• Learn to obey God in suffering • Do not covet ease and comfort • Let the heart be softened to accept God's discipline • Much suffering is our path	Heb 5:8 Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered Phil 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross Rom 16:26 But now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith John 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die" Jude 11 Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam's error; they have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion
Salvation	Salvation is not only for joy but also for obedience; obedience is key to experiencing the fullness of salvation	The Lord became the source of our salvation through obedience; God saves us hoping we will obey His will	• Jesus' obedience accomplished salvation • Only those who believe and obey can experience the fullness of salvation	• After justification by faith, obey for sanctification • Obey God's will to live out the reality of salvation • Must not change salvation's nature to seeking only joy without obedience
Life	Obedience is the essence of life, the manifestation of Christ's life within us	We need to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus; the Lord has given us the life of obedience	• Christ's example of humbling Himself as man • Jesus' exaltation through His human nature • The Lord bid farewell to His divine nature, being exalted in His human nature	• Have the same mindset as Christ • Live out the life of obedience • Practice the principle of obedience in daily life • When one encounters God's authority, obedience becomes simple

 

Core Truth and Practical Principles:

• Core Truth: No sin is uglier than rebellion, nothing is more important than obedience
• Basic Principles: All should walk the Lord's way, taking His principle of obedience as our principle of obedience
• Ultimate Goal: Maintain God's principle, manifest Christ's life, accomplish God's will

 

*Please refer to the 2025 June Semi-Annual Summer Training, General Topic: Experiencing, Enjoying, and Manifesting Christ (Part 3), Part 2: Knowing Christ as Our Model and Taking Him as Our Model