peace . love . joy

What keeps little children from moving off their seat when you give them a time-out? Or when you say "no" when they ask you for a sweet just before dinner time? Some of them may pout or even throw a tantrum, but most would obey and respect what you say anyways. I'm pretty sure you did not put glue on their seats so they sit there and think about what they've just done wrong, and you did not tie their hands together behind their backs so they cannot help themselves to a cookie. No. So what is it that keeps them "in line"?

Ever observed children playing a game, or perhaps even joined them in one? When my seven year old cousin wants to play a game with me, but one that is new to me, he proceeds to dish out all the instructions and the rules he has learnt about the game, expecting me to follow and not cheat (I know this because I've tried a couple of times just for amusement's sake).

Observance of something that is higher in authority than they are is something most children possess. They need not the person of higher authority who made the rules or gave the instruction to be physically presnt for them to obey. They simply needed to know their given perimeters and they'd stay within them.
But it is also something that most lose as they grow older. They go through what is termed a "rebellious phase" where they seem to live only to annoy and to disobey. They find joy in flouting rules and getting away with it. I speak not from ignorance, but from experience. I think many of you know what I mean.

Respecting and Obeying a higher authority is not easy especially when you've dug up their "skeletons in the closet", when you've got way too much pride and way too little humility.
Think you don't have this problem? Here's a simple, but not fool-proof, test: when you're in a class (be it in school, or in church during Bible studies, etc.) and the teacher in front starts to speak, do you continue talking with your friends, ignoring the teacher?

We think we know better than the one who is trying to teach us, the one who is our senior, the one who has the authority. We think them outdated, we think them inexperienced or too "slow" or that they "don't know what we're going through", we think them not worthy of our attention and respect. We think ourselves above the rules, above their command. We think ourselves superior, and them inferior.

Our decisions to treat authority as frivalous wooden toys hurts both the people around us and it also hurts God, who is watching us. He watches us as we choose to disrespect our parents, disrespect their wishes, disobey given rules, not submitting to the authority that He has placed above us to guide us and to teach us because soon we too shall be the ones in authority with the task to exercise our authority and wisdom and judgement over the next generations.

Jesus has asked us, told us to return to the way we were when we were but children, learning, trusting, honest and submissive children. Loving hildren who belong to the Loving Father. The body whose head is Christ.

For if God first loved us, and now we love God, and God loves His creations, surely we must aspire and stubbornly try to love them. Unlovability is not a factor.

So,

'Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people whoa re free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

Honour everyone.
Love the brotherhood.
Fear God.
Honour the emperor.

Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight o God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.'

~ 1 Peter 2: 13 - 21 (paragraphing added)

'Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders.

Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."'

~ 1 Peter 5: 5 (paragraphing added)