You're Not The Boss of Me!

This is a statement often heard when a rebellious child is defying the instruction of placed in someone in authority over them. It may be a sibling, grandparent, or babysitter. Those with deep authority issues may even make this declaration to a parent.

John 13:13  "You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am."

.... when His life has been created in me by His Redemption, I instantly recognize his right to absolute authority over me. ~ Oswald Chambers

Obedience is evidence of a life changed by the Holy Spirit.

It is recognition and acceptance of the absolute authority of God. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. I believe that He is the One and Only Son of God who died for my sins. His work involved in my salvation was completed on the cross. Though I am saved by the blood of Jesus, my work is not complete.

My work is not so that I can be saved. It is in obedience because I am saved.

I am a slave to Jesus Christ, but it is not "slave labor." He paid a very high price for me - His very life.
I am a slave by choice, not by mandate. As such, my "job" is to trust and obey Him.

God educates us by means of people who are a little better than we are, not intellectually but "holily," until we get under the domination of the Lord Himself, and then the whole attitude of the life is one of obedience to Him. ~ Oswald Chambers

The idea of having to be "obedient" can, at times, seem so oppressive. By nature I think we all want to do it our own way. - So much so that it has been declared in song.

Today in My Utmost...,  Chambers explains Christian obedience so everyone can "get it."

The revelation of my growth in grace is the way in which I look upon obedience. ~ Oswald Chambers

The difficulty in reconciling our "free gift" of salvation through Jesus, and our responsibility to "work out one's salvation," is understandable. This one page in My Utmost for His Highest puts the concept into a perspective that brings about the infamous, "Aha!" moment.

The Son's obedience was a Redeemer, because He was Son, not in order to be Son. ~ Oswald Chambers

When I accepted Jesus as our Savior, I was adopted into the family of God. I choose to be obedient not to become a child of God, but because I already am His child.