AUTHORITY

 

Since God is our creator, He has the ultimate right to exercise authority over us.  When Jesus triumphed over the law and death, ALL authority was given to Him (Mt. 28:18).

Jesus’ authority was exercised through the apostles when He sent the Holy Spirit to guide them into every good work (Jn. 15:26-27, 16:13).  In turn, they wrote those things which the Spirit gave them in the New Testament (1 Cor. 2:12-13).  When we read, we can have the same understanding that they had (Eph. 3:3-4).

 

Challenges to Jesus authority often take the form of direct rebellion against God, as in the case of immorality or malice.  More often, however, the challenge to Jesus’ authority are attempts to “help God out” while claiming to do His will (Mt. 7:21-23).  Many religious leaders are just not satisfied with the scriptures which God has preserved for us (Mt. 24:35).

The scriptures have the total capacity to guide us unto every possible good work and to warn us against all evil (2 Tim. 3:16-17).  This is an absolute statement, and since we are warned in no uncertain terms against adding to or taking away from God’s word (Rev. 22:18-19), the Bible has the full weight of God’s authority for us today.

Let us assume (just for a moment) that our reasoning is wrong, and that the scriptures above are misused.  Assume for a moment that the Bible is not authoritative -- that it does not “thoroughly furnish us unto every good work.”  If this were indeed the case the Bible would be of absolutely no value!  For how are we to tell which part to accept, and which to reject?  How could we tell where to add something to it and where to accept it as it is?

Who could accept such a concept of authority?  Yet, today we clearly see the Bible being over ridden by church councils, so called latter day apostles, leaders who supposedly talk to God, or anyone who feels the spirit moving in them.  Is such the following the authority of God or the authority of man?  Please read Prov. 14:12 and Jer, 10:23 before answering.  There is a way that seems right to man, but notice where it leads, to death.  To act without the authority of God is indeed dangerous and puts our souls in jeopardy!

When men disregard God’s word, their dissatisfaction with His way becomes quite clear.  It is the ultimate in hypocrisy to use scripture as references at all if they are only being used to support a preconceived position.  God will not hold those guiltless who so abuse His authority (Gal. 6:7).

 

THE SOUND OF SILENCE

 

Most all Christians at some time or another make the statement: “I wish God had just come right out and told us…..” X.Y, or Z.  Possibly we wish more guidance in implementing a clear command, or, in love, we wish to avert a controversy.

 

While these are noble feelings, it is important that we recognize that the silence of God is not arbitrary -- it was designed.  The Bible is quite clear on this subject.

 

Every word of God is of extreme value: we cannot ignore one of them and expect to live (Mt. 4:4).  On the other hand, the scriptures thoroughly furnish us to every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17).  Thus our spiritual life requires that we not go beyond what we have been given (2 Jn. 9; Jude 3). 

 

An objective knowledge of the paragraph above is helpful; but we still long for more.  Is such longing sinful?  Could it show a lack of faith?

 

Perhaps it would help if we recognize that the Way of salvation was forged by the omniscient Father before the worlds were even created (Eph. 1:3-14).  It was not an afterthought on the part of God.  Nothing was left to chance.  If it is not there, it is because God does not want it there!

 

Now I do not claim to know why we are not given specifics on what Paul’s thorn in the flesh was, the conducting of the Lord’s Supper in a second meeting on the Lord’s day, the procedures for securing a local preacher and appointing elders and deacons, the methods for organizing our local benevolent and spiritual work, etc., etc.

 

I do not know the reasons; but I do know that there were reasons!  One possibility: God wants us “to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12), not to be mindless automatons.

Additional insight might be attained by considering a system devised by God which did provide the details we often long for: the Old Testament.  Did this detailed system help those serving under it to keep it better?  Did it make them any more spiritual?  Did it make them murmur less?  Did they have fewer divisions?  Did they have any less controversy?  Was it able to save ?

 

No, if we have a mind to argue, we will argue regardless of the detail given us; and if we have a mind to serve the Lord, we will have no problem working within the spirit of His word (1 Cor. 2:14-16). 

 

Let us rest in the assurance that God has provided everything that we need, everything that pertains to life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3-4).  Our problem is not that we need more; it is that we are not taking full advantage of what God has given us!