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 Nothing
is more fundamental or needful in serving the Lord than
possessing a rulable spirit. Basically, Christians are people
who have willingly placed themselves under the rule of their
Lord, Jesus Christ. They are the citizens over which He reigns
as King; body-members over which He is the Head; sheep over
which He is the Good Shepherd. As the one with all authority
(Matt. 28:18), Christ alone has the right to rule. This is among
the very first lessons to be learned by His disciples — and
one never to be forgotten. The ruled must recognize the
authority of the ruler! As Bernard Ramm has put it, "A
properly constituted authority assumes an authoritative
importance to a person only as that person subjectively
recognizes it." (The Pattern_ of Religious Authority,
p.13) Not, of course, that one's accepting or rejecting is
grounds for determining authority, but, as Ramm points out, the
Scriptures can function as an authority only to the believer.
In
Bible terms, recognition of divine authority is perhaps best
expressed in the terms "love", "fear", and
"faith". To love the Lord with all the heart, soul,
and mind (Matt. 22: 37) guarantees submission of my will to Him
in all things. That's why Jesus says, "If ye love me, ye
will keep my commandments" (Jn. 14:15). As John writes,
"For this is the love of God, that we keep his
commandments..." (1 Jn. 5:3). Nothing demonstrates the
rulable spirit more than faithful obedience. In fact, John says
this is how we can really know if we know Him (i.e., know Him
effectively and not just intellectually. 1 Jn. 2:3).
In
like manner, fear also characterizes the rulable spirit. This is
the fear of reverence,
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awe and respect toward God
that carries with it "a wholesome dread of displeasing
Him" (Vine). As the apostle Peter puts it, he that fears
God and works righteousness is acceptable to Him (Acts 10: 34).
A similar statement is found in Eccl. 12:13: "Fear God and
keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man".
Such
fear is really an attitude of life in which one sees his own
humble submission to God's will as the greatest compliment to be
paid Him. The God-fearing man is a God ruled man, but God cannot
rule where He is not respected.
We
have said that faith also has a place in the rulable spirit. And
it is most likely the preeminent place, especially if love and
fear be considered as effects of faith. And why not? What is
more fundamental than faith in the scheme of redemption?
"He that cometh to God must believe that He is..."
(Heb. 11:6) — and not only that He exists, but that He has
existence in the way set forth in His word. That is, that He
exists with all power, all knowledge; that He is righteous,
just, sovereign, absolute truth and immutable. Many conceive of
a God beset with all kinds of limitations. No wonder they are
reluctant to be ruled by such a God! True faith sees God as
He is and trusts in Him to do what He says; to "reward
them that diligently seek Him". Nothing more influences
one's rulability than His concept of God; his faith. When some
seem more rebellious than rulable, it is likely the age-old
problem of unbelief (Heb. 3). Dan S.
Shipley
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