Fourth, as quoted in I Peter 2 earlier, we must submit to civil government authorities. "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers (authorities), for there is no power (authority) but of God: The powers (authorities) that be are ordained of God. Whosoever resisteth the power (authority) resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." (Romans 13:1,2) Three times in Romans 13 Paul calls these authorities God's "ministers". He sets them up and brings them down! Let us not get carried away focusing our time and energy on electing officials thinking they will bring the needed changes in our societies. The only change that counts in God's eyes is the change that is brought about by men's hearts being changed by the power of God, not the power of the ballot!
Fifth, "Servants be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart." (Ephesians 6:5,6) Here Paul establishes what our attitude should be concerning those authorities found in the workplace, our supervisors, managers, owners of the companies we work for in our everyday lives. He raises our submission to a higher level than mere worker/superior relationships, showing that we should be serving Christ in our so-called secular positions. He convincingly shows that all areas of the Christian's life is sacred whether we work as homemakers, or managers of large corporations, we must serve the Lord of lords and not view our activities as merely serving men. So, when we submit ourselves to those whom God has put over us, in essence we should be serving Christ, reaching a higher standard than any workplace requirement could place upon us.
In Ephesians 5:22 wives are commanded to: "Submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." Unfortunately, this verse of Scripture has become a sore spot, an item of unnecessary controversy due in great measure to the outcry from various and sundry women's groups that have cropped up during the last few decades. Paul here, as in all other areas of submission we have discussed, is providing God's plan for the wife to give her the necessary structure for her to accomplish God's will. This does not mean that the wife is inferior, or less important to God. No, God has given authority structures and positions in each authority structure for the purpose of supplying protection, order, communication, and lines of instruction for all areas of our lives. And this one, I might add, is probably the most important for creating a sound Christlike family and therefore a sound Christlike local church, and a sound Christlike community, country and you take it from there! But, the devil's scheme is for husband and wife to swap roles, eliminating the necessary leadership that should come from the husband, and in the process he, the devil, cancels out the spiritual effectiveness that should come from a couple that is one, united in serving Christ! So, wives, regardless of the pressure from the world, peers, and those who you might rub shoulders with in the local church, please, recognize your God given command to bring yourself under the protective authority structure the Lord has provided, "Submitting...as unto the Lord."
Finally, the seventh authority structure: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Honor thy father and thy mother, which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth." (Ephesians 6:1-3) Here Paul again reaches into the home where we live, counseling those children who are under the authority of their parents. Exodus 20:12 is Paul's source for this teaching quoting the fifth commandment. Obedience to this simple command brings the blessing of long life. However, he does not say that children should obey because they think it is right, but obedience is necessary because God says it is right!
It is most necessary for the Christian in God's will to be Serving God. "Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service as to the Lord, and not to men." (Ephesians 6:6,7) "Saved to serve" was the simple message Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, sent across the ocean via telegraph to his counterparts in America over a century ago, and it became the central focus of the Salvation Army. This short but meaningful slogan sums up the purpose of the life of a Christian in God's will, for it was also the Lord Jesus' purpose when He was here on earth: "But I am among you as He that serveth."(Luke 22:27) The account found in John 13:4-17 as Jesus washed the feet of the disciples shows His example for us to be servants. Serving God can be summed up with 3 distinctive commands given to the Christian:
1. Glorify God "Whether therefore ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do do all to the glory of God." (I Corinthians 10:31) Every single attitude of the heart, every single action of the Christian must be done with God's glory as the purpose. Worship is the key word!