Spiritual Authority

This was one of the things we spoke about in Ezer last night. The issue sparked off from something in ACTS Chapter 5. I couldn't quite remember what it was. But E brought up a point about spiritual authority over us and that sparked off a whole series of views about spiritual authority.

Just a few weeks ago, during IDT, we were being taught the different sorts of leadership we are placed under; Leadership at the church, leadership in the family, leadership at the workplace, and leadership at the _______ (I can't remember :p) . At that point in time, when we were placed in our small groups, and the question " Which area do you have most difficulty submitting yourself under?" was brought forth. I remembered that I didn't have much difficulty in all aspects.

At home, my parents pretty much treat me as their peer, even asking for my advice at times. Sure, they nag and require me to do certain stuff at times but it is not something I have a problem submitting to them about. At the workplace, I have enough confidence in God's sovereignty based on his excellent track record in my working life that I do not have to prove anything to anybody. Being secure in who I am in Christ, I do not have a problem submitting to the leadership at work unless they require of me to do something against my values.

In church, I believe in the wisdom and authority that God has given to the Senior Pastor of the church, though like what SL shared, our ultimate spiritual authority is Christ who is in us. E brought up a real situation, something like what she is facing. She asked, in view of what I believe in following the church leadership's direction, if I were out to my mainstream church and they had asked me to go for counselling, what would I do?

I feel at peace going for the counselling. Maybe it's easy to say now because it has not happened. But what ran through my mind is not the issue of losing one's identity or losing the pride of who I am or having the need to change who I am. In regards to the negotiables in the bible, the grey areas (eg, speaking in tongues, the style in which the holy communion is taken, how certain things are done this way and that way, etc), no one can say for certain what is right and wrong way of them all. I believe that the word of God is inspired by God, and everything in it is true. It is how people interpret the word of God that causes the differences.

So most mainstream churches think that homosexuality is wrong, and they have their interpretations of the bible to support their point of view. FCC has their interpretations of the 6 passages where homosexuality is mentioned. Why would I not be open to hearing the other point of view? Why would I just subscribe to one point of view? Doesn't that mean that I only hear what I want to hear and not what God has to say? I told the group that I have no problem going for the counselling, simply because I know that God loves me and that he will not shortchange me. He is a God who works, and if there is anything that He wants to change about me, He will reveal. I need to adopt that teachable heart to be receptive to what He says. And like what H says, God gives us that discerning spirit. He lives in us, and He will speak if we are open to listen.

Honestly, I don't have an problem with listening, I have a problem with obedience, and immediate obedience for that matter. I need to be changed in this aspect. Maybe that's why some people don't want to hear, maybe? Maybe they would want to be obedient. These people are better than me. Bleah.
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