Did you know dogs are pack animals? They were originally wolves who were at first fed and, over time, domesticated by humans in a growing relationship some 40,000 years ago in Siberia and parts of Asia and Europe.
As pack animals, they recognize a “leader of the pack” and if you have a dog, you’ll know that sometimes you’re the leader and sometimes you’re the pack. There are four signs that you’re the leader. The dog:
• respects you and will not take your food nor your seat without permission;
• obeys your simple commands such as sit, stop, and come;
• comes to you and checks in with you as the pack leader;
• walks beside or behind you as a sign of respect.
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
— Romans 13: 1
The foundation of our Christian faith is obedience to God the Father and his Word. We won’t take his place nor his seat, and we will obey him.
As Christians, we are called to respect authority, obey the laws, and contribute to the wellbeing of society i.e. the pack… unless that obedience contradicts our obedience to God as in Acts 5: 29 where the Jewish high court ordered Peter and the Apostles to stop preaching about Jesus in which case they answered, “We must obey God rather than man!”
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.”
— Romans 13: 8
God is love, and therefore, our obedience is grounded in God’s love for us and our love for God, and we should spend time with God daily to keep and grow our relationship with Him.
Now Paul shifts the focus from our legal obligations to our spiritual responsibility. We are to love God, ourselves, and other people, and that love will fulfill all the commandments!
Maybe you’ve heard about J-O-Y, i.e. Jesus, others, and finally yourself, but that’s wrong. You can’t possibly love other people if you don’t first love yourself. So, love God with all your heart, mind, soul and body, and he will enable you to love yourself, and only then will you be able to love other people.
“And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”
— Romans 13: 11
The time for obedience and love is not coming soon but is here and now. Maybe you remember Jesus’ simple command to “follow me!”
Finally, Paul warns against spiritual complacency. We’re given a limited time to grow in our faith, by respecting God, obeying God, spending time with God, and following Jesus!
Charles “Buddy” Whatley is a retired United Methodist pastor in Thomasville, Ga.
