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Grounds for Obedience

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Jesus commissioned His disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19-20). We tend to point to those words as a prime command in support of outreach. While that’s true, Jesus obviously intends for us to do more than help people come to know Him as their Savior. He also wants to be their Lord as seen in what comes next in the instructions to baptize them and teach them “to obey everything” He commanded. We find the grounds for such obedience in verse 18, right before He said to go and make disciples.

Jesus’ Authority Provides Grounds for Expecting Obedience to Him

Jesus' Authority Gives Grounds for Obedience

Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt. 28:18). That leaves nothing over which He wouldn’t have authority. He has full rights, not just in heaven, but also on earth. Jesus isn’t just the Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18) but “He is the head over every power and authority.” (Col. 2:10). He’s the ultimate, the One with whom everyone should align.

He could claim such authority “for in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Col. 2:9). As such, He knows everything and has the power to do anything. But, since the fullness of God dwells in Him, He also has the wisdom, grace, mercy, and love needed to use that knowledge and might for our good. Hence, it only makes sense that we yield to Him as Lord of our lives, obeying Him in all things. Any commands He gives us look out for our welfare, protecting us and providing benefit to our lives. So, in our discipleship efforts, it has to be about more than trying to get people to conform out of fear of one day giving an account to God (Rom. 14:12). Yielding to Him is for our good as well as His glory.

Implications of Jesus’ Authority for Our Discipleship Efforts

Since Jesus has all authority, we need to make sure we communicate in a way that points people to Him as the ultimate authority. We must be careful we don’t inadvertently set ourselves up as the one to whom they owe their allegiance. We must make it about Him, not us. We must promote His purposes, design, and mission for the Church, not our personal agendas.

As a light in the world, we reflect His light (Matt. 5:14-16; Jn. 8:12). As the salt of the earth, we season what we say with His grace and truth (Matt. 5:13; Col. 4:6). As His ambassadors, we represent Him (2 Cor. 5:20-21).

Also Read: Authority in Communication

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Requisites for Real Change over Quick Solutions

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Driven by our own self-interests, comfort levels, or personal convenience, we may be tempted to simply apply a quick solution to situations rather than seek real change. We might therefore choose to take the easiest, least resistant, or quickest path rather than truly work through issues. God, however, desires real change and He shows us what it takes.

Philippians 2:1-7 Shows What It Takes for Real Change3 Requisites for Pursuing Real Change Over Quick Solutions in Philippians 2:1-7

God knows our natural tendencies and therefore instructs us in what it will take to do what is best for all rather than merely applying a bandage and hoping it will go away.

1) Seek Unity out of Diversity

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. (Phil. 2:1-2)

We must find our unity in Christ and fellowship in the Spirit, rather than caring more about our personal opinions and preferences. When we do, we’ll exhibit tenderness, compassion, joy, and love toward one another. We’ll be able to work through differences rather than cover over them or compromise merely to keep peace. — This means truly accepting and respecting one another regardless of where we stand on issues. We come together in Christ and seek to get on page with Him.

2) Be Driven by Selfless Motivations

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Phil. 2:3-4)

When we truly look out for the good of others, we realize that it isn’t about what’s the most convenient or comfortable for us. We realize that taking the path of least resistance isn’t always what is best for everyone involved. — This means truly trying to help the other person reach their potential in Christ from the inside out, not merely tolerating them or being satisfied with mere outward conformity.

3) Maintain Christ-like Attitudes

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Phil. 2:5-7)

When we approach people with a Christ-like attitude, we find ourselves willingly giving of our time to serve in ways that truly make a difference. We seek the best for others regardless of the time and effort it takes. — This means truly investing our lives into people and the ministry God has given us, not doing just enough to get by.

Church Leaders, Also Check Out These Posts: Change Management

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Quick Solutions or Real Change in Classroom Discipline?

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Anyone in children’s ministry knows the challenges of maintaining classroom discipline. It becomes even more difficult when we have a “problem child” who constantly disrupts the class. We can become frustrated by it and simply apply a quick solution, or we can seek real change.

The Objective Will Determine if We Seek Real Change or Apply a Quick Solution

If our objective is mere crowd control and somehow making it through the lesson, we’ll tend to apply quick fixes. We’ll do whatever it takes to quiet the child or get them to stop their negative behavior. Often that involves bribing them. Or, we might throw our hands up in despair and permit children to do as they please.

When our goal is to help the child truly learn and grow, we’ll look at discipline problems as opportunities to disciple them. We will want more than external conformity, so we’ll work with the child to correct the problem from the inside out. This means we take the time to identify and address the root cause of the problem.

Results of Our Approach to Classroom Discipline

Quick solutions leave unresolved issues which could become worse and keep the child from learning and growing. Bribery in classroom discipline could translate into them thinking the Christian life is about mere outward conformity rather than heart transformation (1 Sam. 16:7; Ps. 51:10; Lk. 6:45; Rom. 12:2). Ignoring misbehavior can give license to other children to do the same which can eventually erupt in chaos. We’ll find ourselves merely tolerating the “problem child” rather than loving them.

When we seek to use discipline problems as learning tools, we’re helping children learn for the future. We’re getting beyond temporary external conformity. In so doing we’re communicating that we truly care and want what’s for their good. — “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Heb. 12:11)

Get help with pursuing real change in classroom discipline:

Classroom Discipline for Real Change
The Classroom Discipline Bundle will provide a comprehensive understanding leading to a greater likelihood of accomplishing real change through discipline efforts. Each of the resources in this bundle can be ordered separately.

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Quick Solutions or Real Change to Settle Disagreements?

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Anyone who has served on an elder board or ministry team knows that we don’t always agree with one another about the best course of action. Ideally all decisions would be born out of prayer, and we would all get on the same page. But, we’re humans who don’t always walk in the Spirit and who come together from a variety of backgrounds and personalities with preconceived ideas and ways of doing things. It only takes one person in a group to be out of sync to head disagreements down a destructive path. We may be tempted to apply a quick solution to shut down the disagreement rather than seek for real change.

The Objective Will Determine if We Seek Real Change or Apply a Quick Solution

If our objective is to please everyone, we’ll want to do whatever it takes to keep peace. It seems like a quick fix to compromise or cover over key issues. That’s what we tend to do if our goal is to keep people happy.

When our objective is to come out better on the other end, we seek to learn from each other. We look for unity out of diversity. We want peace that comes from the heart not that which is insincere or manipulative (Rom. 12:16-21; 14:17-19; Phil. 2:1-2).

Results of Our Approach to Settling Disagreements

Quick solutions to appease people end up putting their concerns above God’s. We’ll probably find ourselves compromising where we shouldn’t. The Apostle Paul concluded, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Gal. 1:10). Doing what it takes to arrive at the best solution is often set aside in order to keep people happy.

God's Solution to Settle Disagreements
When we pursue real change, we help people learn what it means to seek the common good which might require setting aside personal preferences for what is best (Phil. 2:1-4). We plead with one another to be of “the same mind in the Lord” (Phil. 4:1-2). It’s about finding unity by getting on page with God, not by appeasing one another (Eph. 2:17-22). It’s about having “the same mindset as Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5). When that happens, God is glorified (Rom. 15:5-6).

More for Church Leaders: Conflict Management

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Quick Solutions or Real Change in Staffing Issues?

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Anyone responsible for overseeing staffing knows the struggles of recruiting enough people to fill all the needs. So, when we do get people to volunteer, we don’t want to lose them. And, we should do what we can to train, encourage, and support them in ways that let them know they’re valued and appreciated. But, what do we do if they aren’t a good fit? Or, what if they aren’t coming adequately prepared or have a negative attitude? We may be tempted to apply a quick solution rather than seek real change.

The Objective Will Determine if We Seek Real Change or Apply a Quick Solution

If our objective is solely filling ministry positions, then we won’t want to hurt the person’s feelings or upset them in any way. We don’t want them get frustrated and quit. We may cover for their inadequacies or make excuses for them so those affected don’t complain or at least cut them some slack. We may pull on more reliable people to fill in. These are quick solutions to try to keep everybody happy.

Solution to Staffing Issues is to Spur Them OnWhen our objective goes beyond the immediate situation to the long-range effect of people’s attitudes and behavior, we will be more concerned about helping the person serve in accordance with God’s heart and ways. We will then take steps to spur the person on to give of their best to the Lord in attitudes and actions (Heb. 10:24). This is about real change for God’s glory (Ps. 79:9).

The Results in How We Deal with Staffing Issues Reveal the Best Approach

Quick solutions fail to look at the big picture like how their actions or attitudes affect other people. It could possibly stir up negative feelings in others, dampening the morale of everyone and diminishing effective ministry.

Pursuing real change, however, challenges the person to look outside of themselves and brings them into accountability to the Lord, not us. Everyone benefits if the person changes from the inside out.

Need Help with Staffing? Check out the: Staffing Ministry Manual

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Quick Solutions or Real Change?

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In so many areas of church life it’s easy to simply apply a quick solution to, or cover over, a problem. Click on the link below for some practical examples like:

staff issues
disagreements
classroom discipline issues

For each of these situations we’ll consider the objective and results of applying a quick solution versus pursuing real change.

Quick Solutions versus Real Change

Quick solutions aim at outward conformity. We put a bandage on the issue, making it seem workable. That usually results in a temporary fix, with the real problem not getting solved. It often festers below the surface only to rise again, possibly in another, or worse, way than before. What starts small has the potential of growing into a major incidence when we apply quick fixes.

Real change, however, aims more for inward transformation that doesn’t always show outwardly right away but eventually does. It’s a slower process but usually produces results that tend to be genuine and enduring. What starts small generally stays small and often disappears.

Transformation Not Mere Outward Conformity
God sent Jesus so we could live in newness of life (2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:20-24). His goal is inward transformation that begins with the renewal of our minds. When our hearts and minds are more like Him, the right conduct follows.

Why We Might Opt for Outward Conformity Though We Should Pursue Real Change

Real change takes time. That requires perseverance which may entail some sacrifice along the way. In a fast-paced world, we tend to want instant results. And, we often prefer the path of least resistance. We focus on the here and now rather than look at the big picture. In the end that usually leads to more stress and little that counts for eternity.

When, on the other hand, we follow Jesus’ example, and do what we must to promote real change, we find joy and purpose, knowing that what we’re doing counts for eternity. Any sacrifice, inconvenience, or discomfort will be worth it in the end.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb. 12:1-2)

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Cor. 15:58)

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Gal. 6:9)

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