At least on two different occasions we are told in scripture to obey and be subject to our rulers and authorities. The implication of the command to obey those of authority over us: our government, the police officer, bosses, parents, Elders is to obey their directions. The scriptures do not give us a choice in this matter. We are simply told to obey.
Our responsibility in obedience is not based upon how many or how few of man made rules and laws there are by the people in authority over us. Our responsibility to God is to always obey.
Because you and I became a Christian, we agreed to follow the standard the Lord established in our lives and to stop following the standard upon which we once lived our lives.
The apostle Paul lived by quite a different set of rules before he met Jesus and he wrote about this in his letter to Titus.
Tit 3:3-7 “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
When we entered into God’s grace within our lives and more so when we enter the assembly to gather around the Lord’s Table: To what authority do you submit?
Certainly we come around the Communion Table to remember Jesus in our lives, but there is much more to it then that.
We come to this table to submit to the authority of Jesus Christ in our lives.
“And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.“
It is also stated this way; “In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.“
This is a command. These words of Jesus, read in Luke 22:19 and from Paul in 1 Cor. 11:25 are a command we are directed to follow.
You see it was first Jesus who commanded us to be here. It was Jesus who commanded us to take of the bread and drink from the cup. When we concentrate of Jesus at this time and not our worldly lives; we are recognizing that it is only by the Lord’s authority and power that we are saved. Why? Because;
Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
How self-centered and selfish of us to neglect being around the Table our Jesus prepared. If we can not be here because of our love for Jesus and what He does for us, then at least we can be here out of obedience to Him as Lord of All.
You see it is His love that compels us as Christians, but it is His command that demands our presence.
Let us all in quite meditation, follow the command of Jesus; blocking out of our minds what happen yesterday, what is going to happen for lunch, what songs we have song or will sing, the person sitting near you, and focus on the mercy, the grace, the great love, the needed death, the cross of Jesus and his resurrection over deaths power as we remember that we do this solely for Jesus.
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