Obedient to whom??? That's a big question and the answer can be astonishingly murky.
Let's start here: In the Bible, Paul wrote "Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God."
I am a staunch believer in submitting to one's authority, not only because the Bible says to, but because logically, if I am rebellious to MY authority, chances are that those I lead will follow my lead and be rebellious to me. And in so doing, according to this verse, when we rebel against authority, we are really rebelling against God.
* NOTE: If we become all religious about this we WILL evolve into pharisees or worse yet, we will submit to authorities who are dangerous (ever heard of cults?).
As kids and scouts, we think in concrete terms where we have to follow directions of parents, adults, teachers, or police. As adults the abstract thought process makes things a little less black and white as we start to consider ideals, right and wrong and the needs of others. (The classic example being - would you break into a drug store to steal a medication that would save a loved one's life?)
Plus, if we are willing to look around our world we'll find all manner of authority which we must choose to obey or not. Street signs for instance - yes, including speed limits. That's authority. Right now I see a sign that reads "no skateboarding." That's authority. And, the one that really gets to my flesh, when people roll a basket full of items into the "20 Items Or Less" aisle at Walmart!
When under an authority, including the church, and one's authority has been.... "less than" honest, abusive, hypocritical, has asked one to do something unethical or has taught heresy - what is one to do?
1. Express our thoughts with our authority, in a humble manner.
If dissatisfied with how that meeting goes, then your options are:
2. Submit willingly and be openly supportive (and not speak negatively about the leaders or the situation)
3. Rebel against that authority, stir up dissension, causing a split in loyalties
4. Remove ourselves from under that authority. (My suggestion is to speak with the authority and explain, again humbly, why you are leaving. Don't argue or accuse).
An extreme example might be disagreeing with your state's laws so you choose to move to a state that more suits your ideals.
At times there are just no easy solutions. Our authority is not_____________________ and can no longer be followed and our only choice is to remove ourselves from under their authority. But we must do it well, honoring God, in humility.
In my own spiritual and ministry journey, I've rebuked people who openly and casually gossip, badmouth and undermine our authority. They do this even though they are unwilling to remove themselves from that authority. Sadly, I will admit, on occasions I have handled obedience very badly; my need for honesty and justice overpowering my willingness to submit.
But then there is this: "But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority." Acts 5:29
We can quickly become rebellious using this verse as our justification. However, that justification is very dangerous due to the fact that we had better be damn sure that God is directing us to disobey our authority. We cannot act on this lightly.
To sum up - we must obey our authority, whatever form it takes because God has, for his own reasons, placed that authority in our world. In obeying our earthly authorities we honor and show our trust in God's authority. Amen.
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