The 5th commandment is a very current subject as in the day in which we live obedience is unraveling. Authority is NOT a principal matter as in the church. They do not believe the institutions are given or founded by God, and so they can be disposed of. They believe they are societal and developmental even as we are called to respect the ordinances of God as found in the various God-given institutions that hold authority and obedience in them We honor AND obey faithfully because GOD has put them there.

Before we talk about obedience we must talk about authority and the concept of it. Authority is GOD GIVEN and set among men. (Not just what is powerful.) The ROOT of authority does NOT lie in power. (You would need a police man for each and every citizen then.) Authority is a position..and office that God gives and where He establishes authority. Even government has its authority from God and not because it is powerful though it may seem that way today. It is invisibly given by God in a position.

Three things come to light here:

1. Authority includes the power to legislate.

2. You have the power and right to demand submission to the rules you legislate.

3. You may apply Christian discipline or chastening when one does not follow the rules.

There is no absolute authority among men. It is given or entrusted BY GOD who dictates. ("Be obedient as unto Christ!") God has ALL authority and all other is DERIVATIVE. All authority is basically Christ's! And it should always be exercised for and unto His glory!

All authority and submission is ALWAYS out of the love for God! (2nd table of the law that flows out of the 1st table of the law.) It must be exercised always as an act of love toward God respecting the very authority God has placed over them. If we don't see God behind the stop sign or our parents for example it all becomes utilitarian and goes to the wayside. I must show HONOR, LOVE, and FIDELITY. We obey the 5th commandment by honoring God, loving Him, and being faithful to God. Honor in seeing God and my position and esteeming it for God. It is a matter of love and exercising our self in such a manner. It takes away tyranny and lording and indignity as I stand in a position UNDER as it is in submission to God! Why would we chafe under these things except they go contrary to God?! Who in a position of authority would steer a subject underneath Him whom He loves in a wrongful or hurtful manner?! We will be faithful!

In the Old Testament when Israel chaffed it did NOT go well for them. But, in obedience, it was a land OVERFLOWING.