In every facet of your life, it is essential to recognize and respect authority. (By the way, the downfall of our society has much to do with the failure to accept and apply this principle. But, that’s another article.) Authority. It’s the thing that everybody loves to hate, but it’s the thing that when it’s absent leads to utter chaos.
Consider authority in the home. It must exist and it must be recognized and respected. Children need to understand that there is authority in the home, and it’s not them. When authority is not accepted and submitted to in the home, chaos results.
Consider authority in the school. It must exist and it must be recognized and respected. Students need to understand that there is authority in the school, and it’s not them. When authority is not accepted and submitted to in the school, chaos results.
Consider authority in the workplace. It must exist and it must be recognized and respected. Employees need to understand that there is authority in the workplace, and it’s not them. When authority is not accepted and submitted to in the workplace, chaos results.
Consider authority in the courtroom. It must exist and it must be recognized and respected. Attorneys, clients, jurors and observers need to understand that there is authority in the courtroom, and it’s not them. When authority is not accepted and submitted to in the courtroom, chaos results.
Yes, in every facet of your life, it is essential to recognize and respect authority. So, what about in religion? Does it apply there? Oh, yes! And even more so because of the weight of the authority and the value of what is at stake. And here is what every single one of us, without exception, must understand—there is authority in religion, and it’s not us!
Jesus Christ alone has “all authority” (Matt. 28:18). You’ve probably heard that a thousand times, but hear it again. When Christ declares that He has “all authority,” that means that you and I have none. God said, “Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you” (Act 3:22). Did you see that? ALL things! That’s ALL authority! And those who choose not to “hear” Him and rebel against His ALL authority will be “utterly destroyed” (3:23). You see, that’s what happens when authority is not accepted and submitted to in all facets of life—chaos results.
Do you believe in God? Do you believe that Jesus is God’s Son? Do you want to go to heaven? Then it requires that you recognize and respect the ALL authority of Christ! Where do I find His authority today? Read next week’s article.