If you are going to be a warrior, the first lesson you learn is to follow orders. No warrior is an army of one. You are not in this battle alone, so don't try to go it alone. Obedience is the first general order of the warrior camp. No battle can be won without strict discipline, and a well defined chain of command. That gives us structure, for our interactions with fellow warriors all the way up to our Supreme Commander.
The Head of the Body is Christ. Jesus is our Supreme Commander. We are all under His authority, we can act under no other. Jesus said "greater works than these will you do" but we do so IN HIS NAME. It is by His authority as the Only Begotten of the Father, First Born of the dead, that we are able to make war. And only through the Holy Spirit can we function. His is the power we wield in the Name of our Lord Jesus. If we are to use worldly terms, then He is our command and control system, that which binds us together and unifies our march. But He is much, much more than that. The Holy Spirit is a living, active, omniscient, command and control system. Not just relaying messages, but controling, defining, and blending that communication. Actively taking part in every movement of the Body; Nurturing it, strengthening it, for its task.
i pray we all understand that simple truth. We do not act, but our Lord, by the Holy Spirit, acts in us and through us. This is the base and foundation of our whole being as Warriors of the Cross. All else eminates from this. All other order and direction begins there. But the troops are ordered in ranks as well, and GOD ordains leaders of tens, leaders of hundreds, and leaders of thousands. We are not rougue warriors, but men under authority. If we will not hear the voice of our captains how shall we hear the voice of our King? It is He who has established His captains and lieutenants among us. He has given us apostles, prophets, pastors, and teachers. If we deny their authority, we deny His who called them.
We are all men under authority, if we are to truly be the Children of Obedience He has called us to be. We have been given authority, and fall under authority as well. No man is a lone knight, not if he serves the True King. If you are not under authority then you are a rougue and a thief in the kingdom. We must submit ourselves, first unto GOD, then one to another in love. Any prophet who stands without correction is arrogant and false. Any apostle who lords above the sheep is not fit for his station. Any pastor who is not a servant of all is a hireling, feeding off the sheep. All must submit in meekness before the brethren. Apostles must honor the words of the prophet and the prophet must submit in meekness before the apostle. As Jesus taught us "He who would be first shall be last". If you are called to be a warrior, you are called to lay down you life for the sheep.
There are many false captains hiding in our ranks; False Apostles, False Prophets, False Teachers, and Pastors. They seek their own status and position. They call themselves by presumptuous titles, thinking to give themselves authority. They are not called of GOD, but created in themselves, clouds without rain. They rely on title and position to control the flock, eating from their fat and usurping those with a real call to leadership. They drive away and persecute GOD's chosen so that their emptiness will remain hidden.
But what of our real leaders? We know them as we know Christ, through the Holy Spirit. We do not see as men see, with the eyes of the flesh. A fancy degree, an impressive robe, a large following, are not the signs of authority. Yes, at times, Jesus drew crowds in the thousands, but in the end He was alone. We can not measure our captains as man measures his. You can not climb the ranks of GOD's army as rungs on the corporate ladder. Our commision comes from our Lord, by His Will and by His Grace. Our Lord chooses whom he will. And if our Lord chooses, can we rebel? GOD forbid ! We are to submit ourselves unto His Divine authority, and those He chooses to call as leaders.
We are to test the spirits, and we are to test those who call themselves our leaders. We do not blindly follow anyone just because they bare the title "Reverend" or "Teacher" or those who claim divine commision or profess to be prophets. But if the Holy Spirit bares witness to their call, their appointment, their gift, then we are bound to receive them. To deny the true servant is to deny the Master who sent him. If we deny The Holy Spirit we deny Christ, and if we deny the Son we deny the Father, so if we deny the servant (after the Holy Spirit has shown us their call is true) then we deny the Holy Spirt who has born witness to us.
GOD has commisioned among us leaders for our direction, edification, and nurture. We can not enjoy their labor and not honor them. The Scripture tells us that you can not muzzle the ox while he treads the grain. Hirelings love to spout this and say "if you want a pastor you must pay your tithe". It is much more that that. Our leaders deserve their due, not just our money, but our respect, our fidelity, our nurture, our love, our service, and our prayers. And at times they need our admonition, our correction, and our guidance. They too are mortal clay, even as we. They have needs, desires, faults and failings. They are, however, called to a life of sevice and they need the support of the sheep. How can they lead if the sheep refuse to follow? How can they proclaim the word of GOD, if the sheep refuse to hear? How can they live, if GOD has called them to give up all, and the sheep will not support them?
Our Teachers speak in empty rooms. Our Pastors are burning themselves out, giving all and receiving nothing. Our Prophets are screaming to deaf ears. Our Apostles are starving in the streets for lack of bread. The sheep cry out for leaders and revival, but they follow after wolves and shun the servants of GOD. You can not have leaders if you are too rebellious to be led. The Children of Israel wanted a King when they already had GOD, so GOD gave them a tyrant. The Church wants "leaders" when the Holy Spirit has called saints, they will be given antichrists.