ALL Authority Is Given

By Willa Johnson

If I heard it once, I heard it a million times. “You’re not my boss and I don’t have to mind you!” my sister would tell me quite emphatically. Being older, and blessed with a bossy nature, I naturally took it upon myself to tell her what she could or could not do. Didn’t work most of the time. Truth be known I didn’t have the authority. She knew it but that didn’t stop me from trying to exercise it. Of course, when our brother, who was the oldest, tried ordering me around, I balked. Big time.

However, more than once God has chosen a younger sibling over older ones. Isaac was chosen instead of Ishmael, Jacob instead of Esau, Ephraim instead Manasseh, Moses over Aaron and David over his brothers.

The story of Joseph as told in Genesis is a good example of a younger sibling being given authority over his family. After his brothers sold him into slavery and he suffered humiliation and imprisonment through no fault of his, God raised him up to a position of authority. When his brothers came asking for help, Joseph realized that God had been in control all along. What a story of love and forgiveness.

The problem today seems to be that a good many parents have forsaken their God-given authority to guide and direct their children. Because of lack of training many youngsters are not taught right from wrong and thus suffer the consequences.

In the Bible we are shown several examples of ultimate authority. When the apostles Peter and John were threatened with jail a second time if they did not stop preaching about Jesus. Peter said: “We must obey God rather than man.” Acts 5:29

In Romans 13 we read the instructions about government and what our attitude toward it should be. The first verse states: “…there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” Sometimes, it’s difficult to accept that because we know there have been evil people in control of governments down through the ages and today.

The Gospel of Matthew ends by relating what Jesus told his followers before he returned to heaven. “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” He went on to say: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” That’s our answer and assurance. The Trinity is in control so we need not worry as long as we surrender to God’s will.

Willa Johnson writes from Phoenix, Oregon. wjhat@ccountry.com