“What does God’s Word say about – AUTHORITY”
Authority in the Family:
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and thy mother; which is the first commandment with a promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. (Ephesians 6:1-3)
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything .......
Husbands love your wives even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it..... (Ephesians 5:22-25)
Authority in the Church:
.. I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. (1 Timothy 2:12-14)
Authority in the Nation:
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God. .... For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him, that doeth evil. (Romans 13:1-4)
The Final and Ultimate Authority:
... The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed (i.e. The Lord Jesus Christ) ... He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh ... Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and ye perish from the way... (Psalm 2:2-12)
Important Implications for This Generation:
Families, churches, and a world in which, all too often, women don’t know how to shut up, men don’t know how to speak up, and chidren don’t know how to grow up is suffering under the hand of God. ( A Japanese tourist is said to have been amazed at the way Australian parents obey their children!) However, the promise of God to those who recognise His authority is long life and prosperity (Ephesians 6:3 above). Corrupt authorities are the worst form of abuse and oppression, but they will not go unpunished. These things are ruining this generation. Worst of all, the true Authority (The Lord Jesus Christ) is being utterly despised. It is high time for us to repent and wholeheartedly turn to God, who sent His only begotten Son into the world to save sinners such as you and I! Only faith in Christ can right the wrongs and turn chaos into order.
(Nanango Christian Faith Centre Inc.)