Tag: all authority from God
God is over all authority!
Scripture reading for June 18th: Psalms 73-77
We live in a land where democracy and the rule of the people have clouded our understanding of authority and how it is obtained. We tend to think that we work our way into positions of authority. We campaign hard and make a case and the votes place us in office. In the church, we elect a pastor and then elect board members and deacons to fill positions of authority. We think that the power is given to the church body to place someone in position. In our world, promotion comes with political power and influence. It’s who you know that can get you where you want to be. Or it might be your education or degree that opens doors for position and power.
God is the one who rules all the earth and mankind. (Psalm 75:2-3) He sets the appointed time for judgment and is the one who holds all the earth together. He will shake the pillars of the earth at the time He sets! The wicked are warned not to “lift up your horns”. Horns in the Bible refer to power or authority. Wicked people mistakenly think that they have all power and deny God’s authority. They will be sadly shocked when God arises to shake things up!
The psalmist stated that no man can really exalt another man. God alone is the judge of all. He places those He wants in authority and can remove them at any time He desires! He raises up one and brings down another. (Psalm 75:6-7) He is able to judge the wicked and make them drink a cup full of foaming wine, representing His wrath against sin. This truth will be declared by the psalmist forever as praise to the Lord!
God is truly in charge! Even when it appears that the wicked are prospering, God will judge them in His appointed time. (Psalm 73:15-20) We are to fear God and serve Him alone. Declaring God’s power and authority to our generation is a duty and priviledge of the righteous! Share these truths with someone in your life today! Make it a practice to view life and promotion from God’s perspective! Look to Him alone for the position that you desire!
Authoritity’s protective covering!
Scripture reading for July 30th: Romans 13:1-14
Paul’s practical application of faith included how to relate properly to authority in our lives. Today, it is popular to talk bad about our government, leaders, and those in authority over us. This kind of talk leads to disrespect for authority and can reflect a rebellious attitude towards God Himself! God is a God of order and through His word, gives us instructions on relating to government authorities.
God establishes all authority! (Romans 13:1) When we rebel against authority, we are really rebelling against what God established! This brings judgment on those who do such things! God has given responsibility to those in authority. They are to be a protective covering over those they are leading. This protection is in the form of making laws and enforcing those laws. They are to reward or bless those who keep the law, and punish those who break the laws.
Those under the law are instructed to submit to authority. This submission is to be voluntary and means to willingly stand under the authority and serve them by obeying the laws. If we do that, we are promised commendation from the authority and God! (Romans 13:3)
When someone breaks the laws, God has assigned those in government power to enforce the law (even with the sword). They are His servants, according to Paul! (Romans 13:4) We are to pay taxes to the government to provide for the leaders over us who keep this protective covering of law and enforcement. We are able to live in safety as long as we joyfully submit to this authority.
In America, we are blessed because our government was based on the Bible and God’s law. Our founding fathers wanted to establish a righteous government that would protect life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for those who submitted to it. Under this authority, people were to be free to own property and do business. They were to use their talents and abilities to bless others and make a living. They were to pay taxes to support this government and submit to it’s laws and enjoy it’s blessings.
Maintaining righteous government requires godly people voting to keep godly people in government who will guard our laws, and keep in mind the truth that all authority comes from God! Woe to us when we depart from these basics!