KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 8:9 KJV “For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.”

The centurion analysed his principle for believing by making the following statement, I am a man under authority, and I say to this go and he goes and to another come and he comes. He implied that, if he could do so, then Jesus who had all authority could just command from where he was and his servant would be free from that bondage. He said I have authority because I am a man under authority. Living a life of order and recognizing authority is very important to God. You cannot exercise God’s authority without first submitting to His authority. James 4:7 KJV” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” According to the scriptures we are always ready to punish every disobedience when our obedience is complete. (2nd Corinth 10:6) This verse simply means we have enough right to command devils for them to obey us when we are rightly obedient to God. You would not be successful against devils when you are living in sin.

Another aspect of submission that we have to exercise is towards persons that God has established over us, who must be duly honoured. 1Peter 2:13 KJV” Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;” One such ordinance is the house of God.  Heb 13:17 KJV” Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Because of some reproachable acts of certain Pastors and men of God, many children of God do not give any honour to their Pastors. The scripture says obey and submit to them. The scriptures also talk about how to treat the Pastors or leaders that rule well. That is those that set very good standards for us to emulate. 1Timothy 5:17 KJV” Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”  This refers to those that rule well. They deserve great honour and submission.

IF we would do this we would definitely partake of the grace upon their lives. Gehazi did not honour Elisha and so, he partook of the leprosy of Naaman. 2 Kings 5:27. Elisha honoured Elijah, and so he partook of Elijah’s grace and manifested the anointing that functioned in his life. 2 kings 2:14. Judas also did not submit to the teachings of Jesus. He rather wanted to take advantage of Him, by betraying Him. He ended up as a catastrophe. He killed himself. Peter and the rest who submitted themselves to the authority of their Lord and pastor Jesus, also partook of His grace and so blessed their world so much (Acts 5:15-16).  We are also admonished in 1 Thessalonians 5:13 as follows.  ” And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” Once again, we are called upon to esteem these ministers of the word very highly in love.

CONFESSION

I recognize those who have the rule over me. I esteem them very highly in love. As I simply submit to their leadership I function in God’s order and partake of the grace on them. My life is blessed because the blessings from their lips greatly impacts on my life.

FURTHER STUDIES

Romans 13:1 KJV” Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”

Romans 13:2 KJV” Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”