OUR STRUGGLE WITH AUTHORITY

By Troy Pomeroy

How we react to authority or relate to persons in authority may be the greatest testing ground for a Christian. Perhaps this is because we’re Americans, born and raised to question authority and be on guard against tyranny. Or maybe it’s just a result of our fallen nature, God’s children acting in rebelling against our Creator. Whatever the reason, it is clear we don’t like anyone having authority over us, telling us what to do. We might be able to adjust this attitude if we consider what we can change and what we can’t.

The first and foremost thing that is unchanging is God’s love for us. Each person ever born or yet to be born is known and loved by God. The Apostle Paul was convinced that nothing can separate God’s children from God’s love (see Romans 8:38-39). The Bible further declares that God loves every person on earth, even His enemies.

Since we know God loves each of us, we also know He has a plan for each of us. His love for one person does not diminish His love for another. He has created us and placed us in positions and relationships according to His perfect will and for His pleasure. That we also cannot change. Nor would we want to, for that would be blatant rebellion against our loving God.

So why do we fret over who has authority? Why do we spend excessive time worrying about the decisions our President or Congress make, for example? Sure, we all need to participate in the process. But most of us go beyond that in our grumblings, blaming, worrying, and attitudes. God has placed our leaders where they are and ultimately they answer to Him. God is in control, even when it seems like the sky is falling. We can’t change who is in leadership above us, but we can decide who rules our heart.

Now here’s the really good news: there is one area of our lives where we do have complete authority. We have been given the gift of free will. We get to choose to follow Jesus Christ. By abiding in Him, we choose to live in the spirit and have authority over the flesh. Paul teaches this in Galatians 5:16: “walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” John also writes “No one who abides in Him sins . . .” (1 John 3:6)

When I am struggling with this, I think of how Jesus responded to authority: “becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 5:8). In our hearts, every follower of Jesus wants to be like Him. Are willing to live it out in our daily lives? How far are we willing to go?

Troy Pomeroy writes from Eagle Point, Oregon. troy_pomeroy@yahoo.com