Obedience

by Adam Kronberger / Superintendent

When I was a child, I struggled at times with obeying my parents. I know this puts me in the minority as most of you were probably perfect children and are currently parenting perfect children.  But perhaps for some this article might be helpful. Obedience continues to be a challenge for me at times. There are just so many instructions and commands that I am asked to follow that I disagree with. And then there is this instruction manual called the Bible, of which my flesh can constantly be in conflict with.  As the apostle Paul writes, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” (Romans 7:24)

There are two main truths that helped to not only transform my behavior, but helped me develop a deeper relationship with God. First, I needed to be reminded that all authority is put in place by God (Romans 13:1). Second, I needed to surrender to the fact that obedience to authority is about the who, not the what. Pastor Andy Stanley says it best, “Most of us believe a big lie when it comes to our clashes with authority. We mistakenly think that the issue is right and wrong. When authorities ask us to do something we don’t want to do, we argue as if what they are asking us to do is wrong. Somewhere along the way we get the notion that what we want is right. The truth is, what we really want is our way. It is a mature student who can distinguish the difference between arguing for what is right versus arguing for their way.”

For the month of October, the school will focus on carrying out the directions of those who have authority over me. Students will be encouraged to obey quickly, cheerfully, and to go the extra mile. While exceptions are occasionally necessary so that wrong commands are not obeyed, the greater growth need is in the area of surrender. When children learn to surrender to parents, they will be more successful to obey the authority within their own culture and society. Their standing in their community will directly affect their ability to fulfill the Great Commission. Learning to submit to earthly authority is vital practice to carry out the directions of God Almighty who has authority over all things. 

I have already been using the teachings on obedience on a regular basis in my home.  The most effective training we provide our children does not come in a single family meeting, but in the daily commitment to identify disobedience and teach and require proper submission to authority. Still, we and our children may sometimes feel “wretched” about our inability to be perfect. Paul concludes in Romans 7, “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (verse 25).

– Adam Kronberger / Superintendent