Authority - Joy or Judgment
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Do you delight to obey God and live under His authority? How do you relate to God’s delegated authority? How we submit to authority will determine if we are filled with the joy of the Lord or suffer the judgment of God on our life. As we draw nearer to election time, the more venomous partisan politics become. People malign and slander those in authority seemingly without qualm. Sadly this spirit is sometimes found in the church among Christians. Those who truly have the authority of God are often fought against the most because people wrestle with divine authority. |
When we criticize authority, we expose a lack of the fear of the Lord.
The Apostle Paul warns us, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore, whoever resists that authority resists the ordinance of God and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. (Romans 13:1-2)
John Bevere, in his book Under Cover, reminds us that judgment comes to those who resist authority. Touch authority and you touch God. “No matter how unreasonable the leader or the circumstances were, if they criticized or reviled the leader, if they drank of bitterness, they eventually ended up in greater difficulties.” It could be their finances, jobs, health, children, marriage, or some other problem.
John Bevere says that he saw many people who were mistreated or were let go from a job but they refused to speak against their former employers or listen to others who did. Instead they blessed and honored them when the subject arose. Look at the example of Moses and Miriam or David and Saul.
How do you keep a sweet spirit and reap joy instead of judgment? Jesus gave us the secret, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
by: Cliff Sanders