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Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Romans 13: 1 (NIV)
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INTRODUCTION
All authority is from God. He puts people in authority positions and He also removes them. If we honor authority all goes well with us. If we rebel, we can open ourselves up to strife. There are different levels of authority but it is ultimately God and His word that should have the final say.
THE RENEWAL OF AUTHORITY
Adam and Eve were given authority over Earth. That very authority satan has been after ever since. For a season he gained it when Adam and Eve rebelled in Eden, but Yeshua won it back after He was crucified for our sins.
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
John 10: 18 (NIV)
Yeshua willingly went to the cross. He had the power to protect Himself and defeat His enemies, yet knew His crucifixion was necessary to forgive sin. His love for us and faith in the promise given to Him led Him to obey and submit Himself under the Father’s ultimate authority.
As a reward, He was given all authority over Earth and Heaven. Though for a season forsaken, He was in the end exalted and promoted. He returned to Heaven and sat at the right hand of God the Father.
Before His ascension, He delegated His renewed authority to all His disciples. This authority is the sword we wield against spiritual forces when in battle. It gives us the power to defeat all enemies Luke 10:19 (KJV).
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luke 10: 19 (KJV)
WHAT IS KINGDOM AUTHORITY?
For a society to function properly many things need to be in order. Among the many functions that allow for that to take place is authority.
Authority is not a person, it is a thing. A function that gives us the right to govern, and exercise power, which then gives us the ability to accomplish a certain goal. It brings order and structure to a society, a family, a church, or any other organization. Pastor Craig Hill describes authority with the following words:
The first thing is this, what is authority? Just to understand, what is it? It's the Greek word exousia. Exousia is the word that means authority, that is used through the Bible. And of course, we're looking at this from a Bible perspective. What does the Bible say about this? So exousia, here's what it means: The right to govern and exercise power.
Authority is the right to govern or exercise power. Now, what is power? That's the Greek word that we find in the Bible, dunamis. Now, dunamis, it sounds like the word “dynamite.” It's an explosive type of power. So what authority means is the right to exercise dunamis, or to release power. And what is power? It's the capacity to accomplish or fulfill an objective. So if I have authority, it means someone has granted me the right to exercise power, which is the capacity to accomplish something. 2
Imagine if all would be allowed to do whatever they wanted and desired. Do you not think we would quickly fall into disarray? Human nature is very self-centered and wired towards self-preservation. If proper order is not established and everyone just does whatever they wish, it leads to chaos and disorder. And in such an environment not much can be accomplished. So let us respect authority figures and pray for them, especially if they may be going astray.
Honoring authority after all brings good into our lives. Rebelling against it on the other hand can bring disorder and strife as is mentioned in Hebrews 13: 17 (KJV).
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Hebrews 13: 17 (KJV)
WHAT OF UNRIGHTEOUS COMMANDS?
Since obeying authority is profitable to us and disobeying can bring us strife, what does one do when asked to do an unrighteous thing?
There are different levels of authority as Craig Hill further mentions.
Level 1: The sovereignty of God, including what God says, who God is, and God’s Word. I can never do something that violates the Word of God.
Level 2: Voracious authority: The authority of truth (really, a sub-part of God’s sovereign authority). Here we submit to the truth of God’s Word.
Level 3: The authority of my conscience. God gave us a conscience, and we are not to violate that. Example: If my boss asks me to lie, I won’t lie. That violates my conscience and God’s requirements of me—but I will still have a submissive attitude toward my boss about it, granting him the right to govern even though I can’t do what he asks.
Level 4: Delegated authority. Someone has been given authority, delegated by human authority, but ultimately by God, within a certain area. Example:
a) A pastor over a church
b) A policeman within his own jurisdiction
c) Parents over their children.
d) Schoolteachers over their pupils
Level 5: Functional authority. Authority has been given here, just in the area that they operate in. Mechanics fix cars, dentists fix teeth. They don’t switch jobs because they only have authority in their own area. 2
If the commands given by authority figures ever clash with each other or they clash with the Word of God then we need to appeal to a higher authority with God being the Highest authority above all others.
God many times may have a solution to the problem. Going to Him to receive the third option prevents us from disobeying Him and the earthly authority. Either way, we should never go against the Word of God or we fall into idolatry.
CONCLUSION
Authority is known by the word exousia. It is the right to govern and exercise power, which gives us the ability to get something done. We should always honor authority. It is profitable to us, it brings order and prevents disarray. There are 5 levels of authority with God’s sovereignty being number one. If commands given by differing authority clash, we should always appeal to a higher authority with God’s being the ultimate one. Seek God for a third solution if possible to avoid unnecessary clashes.
Application
If presented with a command which clashes with God's word or instructions, go to the Lord and ask for a solution.
SOURCES
Image by wix.com.
Craig Hill. Understanding Kingdom Authority: How to become a person of Influence and Impact (E-course). Empower 2000 Academy.
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