Good morning:
Who an order comes from can make all the difference in the world as to whether or not that order is followed. When a two year old orders his parents to have an indoor slip ‘n slide, the order need not be followed. When a police officer orders you to pull over after you ran a red light, the order ought to be followed. There are all sorts of orders in this world and all sorts of levels of authority behind those orders. The highest level of authority is spoken of in Ephesians 1:19b-21 “He [the Father] raised Him [Jesus] from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.”
As Christians, we have a special set of orders that is not shared with the unrepentant world around us. Christ tells us in Mark 16:18 “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” The Source of these orders is no less than the One who rose triumphant on Easter morning and is far above all principality and power and might and dominion. By order of the highest name of all, we are to preach the gospel to every creature. Yet too often we disobey orders and miss the opportunity to witness Christ crucified for sinners to sinners.
The same Christ we have orders to preach about also preaches to us. He tells us in John 15:9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you” and He “demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:8) Christ paid the price for all your missed opportunities. Christ died on the cross for all your failures to obey orders. Christ orders you declared not guilty for His sake.
In Christ, Pastor
