I have been in conversations lately where the issue of authority has come up. Church members do not like the denominational authorities over us, and openly chafe at them. Others question the authority of the pastor in certain areas, openly resist them. There are complaints about the boss at work. And of course, there are the political issues.
As men we like to be in authority. God wired us to be in charge of our own domain, to fashion something useful or beautiful out of the raw material God gave us. Here in the American South, particularly in my little corner of the mountain, we prize our independence as well as our authority.
To complicate, we are moving into a period of time called the postmodern era, where folks come along questioning and rejecting any authority over them. All authority is suspect, only “community” and “democracy” are acceptable.
Yet here is a truth we cannot run too far from. The Bible teaches authority, and clearly recognizes that God places human authority, however imperfect, into our lives. “The powers that be,” Paul reminds us, “are ordained of God” (Rom. 13:1). To resist authority, he continues, is to resist God.
When Paul articulated those principles he was writing within the context of the Roman government, possibly the most brutal and oppressive regime every to lord over humans. Yet Paul recognized that God had ordained them and recommended submission to them. I cannot imagine a civil government or an eccelsiastical organization in the same league with the Roman government.
It occurs to me that we cannot have authority unless we are willing to live under it. Jesus was mighty impressed with the Roman centurian who asked Jesus to heal his servant (Matthew chapter 8). “I am a man under authority,” he explained. “I have soldiers and servants under me, and all I have to do is speak the word, and they obey.” That was his basis for asking Jesus to command the spirits to release his servant from the torment of palsy. Jesus regarded the association of under authority/in authority as faith, and granted his request.
Men, that means we don’t have the right to beat our chest at home and make demands for wife and children to “submit” unless we have submitted to authorities elsewhere in our lives. Period.
Think about work. Talk about the boss behind his back? Argue, cut corners, show up late, or leave early? This is blatant disrespect for authority.
What about at church? Give the pastor a hard time? Chafe at the denominational expectations and the officials at the home office? You have not placed yourself under authority.
Join in on critical jeers at the President? Other public officials? We like to pile on, particularly if they are from the other party from our own. I heard (and continue to hear) ruthless and evil criticisms against President Bush (particularly from those who claim to be most loving and open-minded) while he was in office. Now I hear critical comments against President Obama from those closer to my own political point of view. Both are disobedient to Scripture. We are to call our leaders’ names in prayer, not slander.
Human authorities are just that -- human. And they make mistakes, sometimes big ones. That does not absolve us from our responsibilities and excuse rebellion. Remember that they, too, are under authority and will answer to higher authority, not you. So shut up, and give respect to whom respect is due, and honor to whom honor is due.
We may value our independence and rebellion but God does not. He calls rebellion witchcraft or sorcery (1 Sam. 15:23) and reminds us that while living in that sin we cannot inherit the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19-21; Rev. 21:7-9, 22:14, 15). Independence is an idol of pride, and idolaters have the same fate as sorcerers.
You will not be able to adequately and effectively exercise the authority has given you in your domain until you have learned to live under the authority jurisdictions God has placed over you. And remember, your authority is granted not so that you can be served, but that you can exercise the responsibility of true patriarchy in serving your family and those under your care.
As men we like to be in authority. God wired us to be in charge of our own domain, to fashion something useful or beautiful out of the raw material God gave us. Here in the American South, particularly in my little corner of the mountain, we prize our independence as well as our authority.
To complicate, we are moving into a period of time called the postmodern era, where folks come along questioning and rejecting any authority over them. All authority is suspect, only “community” and “democracy” are acceptable.
Yet here is a truth we cannot run too far from. The Bible teaches authority, and clearly recognizes that God places human authority, however imperfect, into our lives. “The powers that be,” Paul reminds us, “are ordained of God” (Rom. 13:1). To resist authority, he continues, is to resist God.
When Paul articulated those principles he was writing within the context of the Roman government, possibly the most brutal and oppressive regime every to lord over humans. Yet Paul recognized that God had ordained them and recommended submission to them. I cannot imagine a civil government or an eccelsiastical organization in the same league with the Roman government.
It occurs to me that we cannot have authority unless we are willing to live under it. Jesus was mighty impressed with the Roman centurian who asked Jesus to heal his servant (Matthew chapter 8). “I am a man under authority,” he explained. “I have soldiers and servants under me, and all I have to do is speak the word, and they obey.” That was his basis for asking Jesus to command the spirits to release his servant from the torment of palsy. Jesus regarded the association of under authority/in authority as faith, and granted his request.
Men, that means we don’t have the right to beat our chest at home and make demands for wife and children to “submit” unless we have submitted to authorities elsewhere in our lives. Period.
Think about work. Talk about the boss behind his back? Argue, cut corners, show up late, or leave early? This is blatant disrespect for authority.
What about at church? Give the pastor a hard time? Chafe at the denominational expectations and the officials at the home office? You have not placed yourself under authority.
Join in on critical jeers at the President? Other public officials? We like to pile on, particularly if they are from the other party from our own. I heard (and continue to hear) ruthless and evil criticisms against President Bush (particularly from those who claim to be most loving and open-minded) while he was in office. Now I hear critical comments against President Obama from those closer to my own political point of view. Both are disobedient to Scripture. We are to call our leaders’ names in prayer, not slander.
Human authorities are just that -- human. And they make mistakes, sometimes big ones. That does not absolve us from our responsibilities and excuse rebellion. Remember that they, too, are under authority and will answer to higher authority, not you. So shut up, and give respect to whom respect is due, and honor to whom honor is due.
We may value our independence and rebellion but God does not. He calls rebellion witchcraft or sorcery (1 Sam. 15:23) and reminds us that while living in that sin we cannot inherit the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19-21; Rev. 21:7-9, 22:14, 15). Independence is an idol of pride, and idolaters have the same fate as sorcerers.
You will not be able to adequately and effectively exercise the authority has given you in your domain until you have learned to live under the authority jurisdictions God has placed over you. And remember, your authority is granted not so that you can be served, but that you can exercise the responsibility of true patriarchy in serving your family and those under your care.
