Have you ever played a pickup basketball game where every guy on the court thought that he was in charge? Two things usually result: chaos and frustration. What about in your workplace—what if every person there thought they were the boss? Can you imagine (or maybe you don’t have to) the chaos and frustration that would erupt?
How easily we understand the need for authority, even if we don’t like it in every situation. We need authority in the home, in our schools, in the workplace, on the playing field, on the highways, in the courtrooms, etc., etc. MOST of all, we must have authority in the CHURCH! What would happen if there was no clear authority (meaning, every person recognized the same person to be in charge) in the church? Two things would easily result: chaos and frustration. In addition to those, even more significantly, unbelief and rejection of the Lord and His truth would ensue.
Thank God that in HIS church the authority is very clear! Our authority does not reside in apostles or in angels (Gal. 1:8). It does not reside in any preachers or church councils (Gal. 1:9). It does not reside in our opinions, personal beliefs or feelings in our hearts (Prov. 14:12; Judg. 21:25). It does not reside in any church traditions (Matt. 15:1- 13). It does not reside in any church manuals or creeds (Rev. 22:18-19). If authority resided in any of these (or others that could be added to the list), then the church would belong to man and be governed by his whims. Result? Chaos and frustration!
Thank God that Jesus Christ has ALL authority in and over His church! The word “authority” means “the right to control or command, total authority and absolute power.” Jesus uses that word in Matthew 28:18, where He proclaims, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” Jesus alone has “the right to control or command” His church, for He alone has “absolute power.” His Word is our authority in all things today—“Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you” (Acts 3:22). It will be His word which “will judge” us all “in the last day” (John 12:48).
My responsibility is to submit to His authority, to respect His Word and to obey Him in all things. I must not “think” beyond, “speak” beyond or “go” beyond that which He has given to me in His Word (1 Cor. 4:6; 1 Pet. 4:11; 2 John 9-11; 1 Cor. 1:10). I must not think myself so wise or conceited that I can “instruct” or “counsel” the Lord (Isa. 40:12 -14; Rom. 11:33-36). Jesus makes it very clear that I must “hear” His Word and then I must “do the will” of my God in heaven (Matt. 7:21- 27). My entrance into heaven is dependent upon respecting the authority of Christ and fully submitting to Him!
-David Sproule
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