Under Cover

Authority and submission. Those concepts aren't too popular in the American culture. We are, after all, the people whose country was founded on the words: "Give me liberty or give me death!"

In our democratic nation, we often neglect the part of Christianity called "Lordship." Jesus Christ is, after all, the King of kings and Lord of Lords, is he not? We gladly accept His gift of salvation, but when it comes to obeying His commands...well, we need to talk about this, God. Did God really say...? Dangerous words, considering where they first came from (think Genesis, chapter 3).

You see, I've recently heard someone say that most Christians don't OBEY God; they just AGREE with Him. The test to knowing whether I am truly obedient to His Word is when He tells me to do something I don't want to do.

It is hard, because we can't get through our minds that technically, God's realm is a dictatorship. In the sense that He reigns supreme, and we can't vote on anything. It is called the Kingdom of Heaven, after all - not the Heavenly Republic. Now, the good thing is that, in His eyes, we are still created equal: in His image, with a sin-nature, and all in need of redemption.

So, anyway. What I've been learning is this: Submitting to authority, whether I like it or not (often, even if the authority is ungodly) will bring God's blessings. Since He is the author of all authority, and sets up all rulers, I am expected to obey. Obey Him and everyone else that is over me. Bummer! Well, not really, since He has promised such wonderful blessings to those who are obedient and remain under the covering of His authority and rulership: prosperity, peace, protection, honor, salvation...Ok, I'd say it's worth it.

That's why this post is titled "Under Cover." It's the name of a book I've been reading, which deals with obeying God (and all God-ordained rulers), and staying under the cover of His protection.

He is a God of giving and love; if He withholds something, it's not because He's being mean, but because He's protecting me from something. Sometimes, the answer is "no." And no amount of pleading or pouting on my part will change it. Accept it and move on, trusting God's ability to know what's best for me.

That's what I know in my head, at least. Now, getting it integrated into my behavior and attitudes will be the real challenge...

~Chelsea