Authority: October 5, 2011

OCTOBER 5 2011. TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 5, 2011

AUTHORITY

DEFINITION:

The power to determine or settle issues; the right to control; authorization; adjudicate; a power or right delegated as given; an expert on a subject.

SCRIPTURE:

“For there is no authority except from God and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” Romans 13:1.

“All authority has been given to me in heaven and in earth.” Matthew 28:18.

“When the righteous are in authority the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” Proverbs 29:2.

“For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Matthew 7:29

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

As Christians we need to look at the word “AUTHORITY” from several
perspectives. First the authority that God has over us as Christians. And second what God says about the authority we have in the individual roles that we have been given or assumed in life.

The Bible declares God to be the supreme authority and the source of all authority. The scripture is clear that there is absolutely no authority given to man other than by God.

By the time that the Children of Israel had left Egypt, they were a large nation and needed a provision of authority to unify them, to give leadership to them and to keep order. God exercised His authority with them and delegated authority to the priests and the prophets to guide their spiritual needs. Later, when Israel demanded to have a “King,” God gave authority to a king to govern and establish civil law.

When we are in a position of authority in this life, we must recognize that all of our authority comes from God and we should exercise our power according to God’s rules and remember that God will judge us on our performance. Concerning the authority of our leaders in government and at our work place, unfortunately we live in a corrupt and sinful world so we have corrupt leaders.

We must be wise in choosing those who are in authority over us. The words of Proverbs 29:2 are true. We will groan when we are under the authority of wicked rulers. We must choose rulers who are God-fearing and righteous. Believers must pray for those in authority to make righteous decisions. Nevertheless, we as Christians must accept the authority of those in positions of authority over us as long as it does not conflict with God’s laws and moral standards. And remember, when we rebel against those in authority over us we are rebelling against God.

Concerning authority in the home, the scripture gives us in Ephesians chapter 5 specific instructions on how family members should relate to one another. As the head of the wife, husbands are to love their wives and wives are to submit to their husbands. This does not mean that the husband is the ruler nor is the wife inferior. But it does mean that the husband is the spiritual leader always thinking of his wife’s best interests and his wife should acknowledge his leadership.

A husband that loves the Lord and is wise will not take advantage of his leadership role and a wife who loves the Lord will wisely not seek to undermine her husband’s leadership. Unfortunately, this line of authority is not popular today and is not being practiced in most homes. Consequently we have seen family values eroding and more than 50% of all marriages fail.

Men no longer know how to lead their families properly under God’s direction. They have abused their role. Wives want to be equal today and do not want to be subject in any way to their husband as is God’s plan for marriage.

It is very important that parents establish with their children, at a very young age that they (the parents) are in charge. They must understand early in life that it is God’s plan for, “children to obey their parents.”

School teachers must make this same declaration but unfortunately cultural changes in our school system are making respect (authority) very difficult and a lot of this is because of bad parenting. Also in the work place today there is a lack of authority demanded or even expected. A respected, clearly stated line of authority brings success to the work place.

But most important, we need to recognize and respect God’s authority in all that we do as individuals, as a family, with our neighbors and in our work place. For Christians --- all authority is with God.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in II Corinthians 5:17.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

PRAYER:

Prepare my heart to live a life that respects Your authority in all situations. Give me a new respect for You, my family and all those that I make contact with today. Continue to teach me daily to trust You more.