Jesus was and is perfectly obedient to the Father. Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He does only what He sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. (John 5:19)
If you want a short definition of Christian maturity, here it is. We should mature until we can see what the Father is doing…and then do it instantly…!
If Jesus is God, and He is, why is He obedient to the Father even now? Doesn’t that make Him inferior to the Father? But there is one thing I want you to know. The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God (the Father). (1 Cor. 11:3)
Headship—and obedience within it—has nothing to do with control—that is Satan’s mode of operation. Headship is about Godly recognition of role, not status. Obedience is a dirty word in our culture because humans worship status and love control. Instant obedience reflects perfect relationship within the perfect structure of Godly roles!
Jesus saw—and did. He is our role model. His disciples, empowered by the Holy Spirit, were significantly good at doing the same thing. Their fruitfulness and faithfulness are eternal witnesses to their obedient lives. Scripture mentions a few who weren’t so obedient, however…
Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm, but the Lord will judge him for what he has done. (2 Timothy 4:14)
Obedience to the Lord defines mature relationship. Disobedience to the Lord defines fleshly rebellion usually dressed up in religiousness.
In this age (these last of the last days) lawlessness—rabid disobedience describes an ever-growing segment of the culture and the church. What is so sobering is the fact that Alexander the coppersmith may well have started out as a faithful follower.
I am amazed at the number of churched folks who started out with at least some level of obedient faith, who have allowed a spirit of lawlessness into their lives and now reject major portions of the Scripture—thinking somehow that they are smarter or more open minded than the obedient.
Their disobedience costs them their destiny, their usefulness in the Kingdom, and possible, their eternity. It is heartbreaking to see modern-day pastors and bishops and leaders going the way of Hymenaeus and Alexander (see 1 Timothy 1:20). It is happening with frightening frequency, as the Bible warns. But you must believe the Bible to recognize it. You must be in a living relationship with the One who wrote it to be obedient….!