Some Human Beings are Not Human Beings?

1 Thessalonians 4:8
Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

This text deserves to be read and re-read for it has a subtle message that is worth our understanding and consideration. In his instructions to the church of the Thessalonians, Apostle Paul tells them to live proper day-to-day. He gives instructions on how they are to live a holy sanctified life that is free from sexual immorality. He emphasizes that God has called us to live pure holy lives, 1 Thessalonians 4:7.

Apostle Paul, a seasoned leader, knew that in every community of people, there are those who thrive in opposing whatever is given by leaders. He knew that these instructions though good will be opposed and watered down. He knew that some people will urge others to reject the instructions. That is why he wrote the powerful message in our text of consideration today.

Apostle Paul says that anyone who will reject the instructions that they as leaders have given the church, will be in direct opposition against God. Some people may not like Paul because of his tribe, race, nationality, personality, etc., but they must see Paul’s work to be of divine origin or else they place themselves on a path of rebellion against God.

The instructions are given by human beings, but the origin of those instructions is God. Human beings give instructions at the behest of God the Holy Spirit. Human beings are just the conduit that delivers God’s will to us. Therefore, to reject the instructions is to confront God directly. Those giving the instructions may look as human as possible but they are on a divine assignment that is greater than all of us.

1 Samuel 8:7
And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.

Rejecting the instructions is rejecting God who sent the leasers with that message. In Samuel’s case, rejecting the leader was actually rejecting God. In cases where the leader is clearly God’s choice, rejecting that leader is rejecting God. Therefore if you reject the message given by the leader or if you reject the leader, you are at risk of opposing God. No opposition against God is sustainable. It is a risky venture to be in opposition to the creator of the universe.

When human beings deliver a divine message, do not see them as human, be cognisant of the God who has sent them. When human beings hold positions they have received from God, treat them carefully even when they are wrong, lest you find yourself in a losing battle of confronting God. These human beings could be parents, spouses, teachers, church leaders, civic leaders, etc. May God grant us the wisdom to carefully handle the instructions and leaders in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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