God's Hand of Authority

Protection, Provision, & Preparation
"God's Way Home, The Way of His Son: Hypotasso (Submission)"

God has revealed Himself to be a family (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), eternally existing in both mutual love as well as a structure of authority/submission. So it's no surprise that God, who created all things in His image, expects His creation to reflect the balance of these two godly characteristics. Submissive faith in authority is the backbone and skeletal structure of relationships, pointing all the way up to God the Father. Unselfish, agape love covers and should hold these relationships together with the gentle, compassionate dimension of God's nature. 1 Peter 5:5-9 in the context of the whole letter of 1 Peter calls the physical, human authorities under which we are to submit (hypotasso), "the mighty hand of God". God the Father has no physical hand, and so obviously this phrase refers to God's authority sovereignly delegated at various levels throughout His creation for His glory.

However, please keep in mind, that relationships of love without the backbone of God's authority structure become a mushy mass of confusion and weakness like a jellyfish. This was one of the problems in the early Corinthian church (1 Cor 5:9-13; 14:33-34). On the other hand, relationships that emphasize authority, but neglect the vital dimension of gentle love, are hard and hurtful like the spiny shell of a crab. This was the problem when the Corinthians overreacted to Paul's counsel in his first letter, and so they swung way over to the other end of the pendulum, and in a harsh manner failed to exercise church discipline lovingly (2 Cor 2:3-11) .

© L.E.A.D. toward restoration & maturity in Christ, for God's glory, when you are in authority:
    (Who is to lead? Government officials, pastors, husbands, parents, employers, teachers, etc. . . . . )
     - L oving                    (Mat 22:36-40; Joh 13:34-35; Rom 13:8-10; 1 Co 12-14; Gal 5:14; 1 Jo 3-4)
          - E quipping                (Rom 1:12; Col 2:2; 1 Th 3:1-2; 5:14; 2 Ti 3:15-17) Teach, Convict, Correct, Train
               - A ccountability      (Mat 18:15-20; 28:18-20; 2 Tim 2:1-4; Titus 2:3-5) Man to man, Woman to Woman
                   - D iscipline               (Mat 18:15-20; 1 Co 5:9-13) One to One, Two or More, Church, Public

Why & When to L.E.A.D.? Matthew 20:20 ff. When a Christian is in a position of authority, he or she is to lead as Christ, not the way of the world. If you love and equip, but do not exercise accountability and discipline, your leadership is unbiblical and will fail to honor God, benefit others, and bring you joy. Likewise, if you focus on accountability and discipline, and neglect loving and equipping, then your leadership will fail just the same. And please do not fall for the modern myth of mutual submission. A parent for example is to be loving and kind, but never submit to the children. Jesus submitted to human authorities, because His first coming to the world was not yet as the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. (See the article by Wayne Grudem, Ph.D., on (The Myth of Mutual Submission".)

© F.O.L.L.O.W. your leaders, in order to reveal Christ's character, when you are under authority:
    (Who is to follow? Citizens, church members, wives, children, employees, students, etc. . . . .)
        1 Peter 5:5-9; Luke 2:39-52; Rom 13:1; Heb 13:7-17; Eph 5:22 & 33; 6:1; 6:5; Gen 9:1-3; . . . .
        - F ear               (Eph 5:33; Col 3:22 "phobeo" = respectful, submissive fear, recognizing authority as delegated by God.)
            - O bserve        (1 Co 11:1 You cannot follow unless you look to see what the leader is doing.)
                - L isten            (Pro 4:1 To help, you must incline your ear & heart to receive instructions.)
                    - L earn             (Php 4:9   An assistant learns what is needed & expected, to work as an effective helper.)
                        - O bey               (1 Pe 3:6 Knowing what to do, but not doing it, is destructive and dishonoring to God.)
                            - W alk               (Gal 5:25 "stoicheo", marching under authority produces God's order, harmony, & glory.)

Why & When to F.O.L.L.O.W.? Sadly, some children today have learned by example from their mothers and fathers, the modern motto of "NO RESPECT, NO FEAR, NO RULES". Yet Scripture says that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Scripture teaches that all human authorities, yes even unbelieving ones, are in their position because God sovereignly allowed it. They are therefore His delegated authorities to ensure some level of order in this sinful world (Rom 13). We are to honor and fearfully respect all of them as unto the Lord. We are to obey them, unless they command us to violate a higher command. If such a sinful command is given, then we are to humbly and respectfully appeal directly to that sinful authority, and if that does not change the situation, then we can and sometimes must appeal above that sinful authority to higher human authorities. Remember, a person in rank under an authority, is never to "rebuke" that authority, who represents God's hand. The process of appeal is the only biblically, Christ-honoring method of dealing with a sinful authority. (See the articles section for more detailed exposition of these crucial principles)

The following chart illustrates the general authority structure of God's creation:

God The Father           Exo 33:22; John 10:29; Prov 30:5-6; 1 Co 4:6; 11:1 ff

God The Son                       Eph 3:15; Psa 2:12; Mat 2:28; Philip 2:7; 1 Co 15:28

God the Spirit                    John 13-17

Government                        Rom 13:1-7; Titus 3:1; 1 Pe 2:13

Church                                    Eph 4:11 ff; 1 Pet 5:5; 1 Tim 3

Men                                             Gen 18:19; Deut 6; Eph 5-6; 1 Pe 2-3; 1 Ti 2-3

Women                                     1 Cor 11; 1 Tim 2:9-14; Titus 2; 1 Pe 2-3; Eph 5
                                                         (See also, The Myth of Mutual Submission)

Children                                  Exo 20; Eph 6:1-4

Animals                                    Gen 1-2; Isa 11, 65; Rom 8

Note: This diagram of authority/submission is derived from the context and terms in Scripture, which demand a vertical line of submission (chain of authority). The Holy Spirit chose to use the Greek term "hypotasso" over 32 times in the N.T., when commanding subjection to authority. This term means "to line up under". To do so means to show respect to and obey the position of authority, except when the authority tells you to do something that would constitute a sinful violation of Scripture.

A serious error has arisen in modern times. It is a modern myth, that could be called the "Myth of Mutual Submission". It began with a misunderstanding of the Eph 5:21, regarding the husband/wife relationship, and is now creeping into our cultural understanding of the parent/child relationship. The resulting disorder produced by this myth leads to dysfunction and ultimately dishonor of the image of God (Father/Son/Spirit).
(* For an exegetical critique, by Dr. Wayne Grudem, please see "The Myth of Mutual Submission")