PHILIPPIANS 2:3-7
“DO NOTHING OUT OF SELFISH OR VAIN CONCEIT. RATHER, IN HUMILITY VALUE OTHERS ABOVE YOURSELVES, NOT LOOKING TO YOUR OWN INTERESTS, BUT EACH OF YOU TO THE INTEREST OF OTHERS…”
One major thing that is difficult in life is taking orders. This attitude is not different in the church today. Church members yelling at protocol officers, pastors, staff and congregation grumbling and murmuring about some directives given by the senior pastor or head of administration. From refusing to take orders to rebellion, insubordination and sabotage. Some believers can frustrate church leadership and authority to the point of disintegration.
As believers, whenever we struggle to commit to leadership and SUBMIT to authority, we feel guilty; and yet many others feel DEVALUED if they submit to some in authority who exercises rights over them. No one likes being summoned to the “boss’s” office at the work place no matter what the reason is. It’s even annoying for the so called “intellectuals”, “human rights activists”, and “gender activists”; they cringe and frown anytime they come across and read scriptures like: “value others above yourselves”, “submit to one another”, “wives, submit to your husbands”, or “everyone must submit himself the governing authorities”. Reluctantly, we obey, because it is God’s word and command, yet we feel HURT and DEVALUED if we do; especially to people who think we are “better” than, older than, richer than or even more educated than….
People murmur, complain and cringe, anytime they take up the role of a servant in the church or submit to authorities for one basic reason: many believers confuse their IDENTITY in life with their ROLES. “Your identity is who you are; your role is the position or office you occupy. You are called to be a teacher, nurse, or even a politician, after they are called, they attach their IDENTITY as a person to role in life. When their role requires them to submit to authority, they feel they can’t do it without feeling DEGRADED or DEVALUED. They tightly wound their roles to their identity. When people attach their roles to their identity, and the “role” is not turning out the way they hoped, they feel their “calling” as a person is crumbling before their eyes.
Our identity is found in Christ. When that identity is firmly rooted, only then will we have the ability to function in different roles without letting the “ups and downs control our lives.
To be cont…
Stay blessed always and remember to love someone and mean it.
#sociallysignificant #Lukebarson #Libertybreakfast
Rev. Prophet Luke Luki Barson is the Senior Pastor at Liberty House Christian Centre at Tema Community 25.
He has studied at the University of Ghana, the Methodist University College and the Christian Service University College.
He is currently a PhD student at the University of South Africa.
Source: BestNewsGH.com
