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Delegated Authority Rom 13:1 (AMP) “Let every person be loyally subject to the governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except from God [by His permission, His sanction], and those that exist do so by God's appointment.” [Proverbs 8:15] Who are the governing authorities? All areas of delegated authority in our lives! If we walk in obedience to God we will have no trouble recognizing those in authority over us. The Bible speaks of four areas of authority in our life: CIVIL, CHURCH, FAMILY, & SOCIAL (employers, teachers, bosses). Notice: "Let every person." No one is exempt from this command - so don't try to justify something else. We are instructed to voluntarily place ourselves under submission to civil, church, family and social authorities with the intent of obeying them. None of those in authority over you are by chance. There’s a direct appointment for your life. (Don't you just love it?) When we oppose God's delegated, appointed, ordained authorities, we are opposing God Himself! As spirit -ed believers we must get beyond personality and position and honor those whom God has placed over us. We obey men in authority because God has ordained it. Whether we like the way they handle things or not, it is not up to us to question. If you are a believer and you profess the commands of the Lord and you say you are submissive, then you will stop negating authorities over your life. Otherwise, deception is operating in you. Who was the Israelite's opposition before Moses? Pharaoh! (Rom. 9:17) God, not the devil, put Pharaoh in his position of authority. Why? So God could reveal His glory. The rest of the world did not believe in the true and living God. Pharaoh said to Moses, "Who is the Lord, I don't know Him." There are multitudes of leaders today who do not know the Lord. But God has set them in positions of authority that His glory might be seen. What was the outcome of Pharaoh? After a few destructive times, Pharaoh said, "Let the men go, that they may serve the Lord." Even the magicians said it was the finger of God. Eventually Pharaoh said, "The Lord is righteous, and my people and I are wicked.” (Ex. 9:2 7) God has appointed every leader throughout history who has legitimate authority, whether good or bad. He has a specific purpose and plan. I Timothy 2:1-3 tell us the purposes of God are accomplished through the church’s prayers. Notice: "all that are in authority." It does not matter what kind of a leaders they are. We must pray. Do you remember the story of King Herod Agrippa after the church was established? He killed James, the brother of John, and because it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to take Peter also. Prayer was made and Peter was set free by an angel. In the next scene the king is sitting on his throne before the people. They start shouting, "He is a god, not a man.” And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not give glory to God and he was eaten with worms and died (Acts 12:22-23). God brought the judgment. We are instructed to pray, but God judges those in leadership and authority. Yes, it is difficult to submit to those in authority, especially when their rule is getting worse. But it does not matter how bad things get; for if we are submitted to God, we will be able to obey those in authority over us. Peter tells us those who oppose authority are of the antichrist spirit. 2 Thess. 2:4 speaks of the man of lawlessness who will be raised up. We need to know within our own being, "Are we assisting or restraining the operation of lawlessness?" If we are assisting, we are under the spirit of rebellion or antichrist. It is difficult to honor and obey leadership and authority if we do not see through the eyes of Jesus. (2 Pet. 2:9-10) The Lord is especially hard on those who despise authority, describing them as proud and arrogant, self-willed, not fearing the Lord. In Verses 11-15 we see that Paul is talking about Christians, not the unsaved. From Romans 13:3-7 God says these are His ministers, leaders, who are worthy of respect. The wrath of God is poured out because of a lack of respect toward those who are in authority. Why will God's wrath be poured out in the last days? Because people lack respect for those in leadership! Young people are losing respect more than ever before. Parents won’t correct their children because they themselves don't show the respect that is required of God. Don't you know you are hurting yourself when you dishonor those in authority? A young person’s authority is parental - Don't you know you are cursed when you don’t show respect or obedience? On the other side, there are great blessings to those who honor their parents: "that it may be well with you in life." Your life will be blessed the farther you go in life if you show respect now. I believe one of the greatest difficulties today with the church is that they have lost respect for those in authority. Paul states you are bewitched when you don't obey the truth. Only when a person is in obedience that a curse can not affect you. But in disobedience you can be under the witchcraft of Satan. It is this disobedience that keeps families or individuals in constant turmoil and trouble. They get past one situation just to find themselves in another. They continue to live frustrated lives because there is a cloud of darkness over them. When you get to this place it is very easy to blame others. But what is our recourse as believers? How do we come under authority and begin to submit to unjust leadership? The presence of the Lord is with those who maintain a right attitude and response. David tells us in Psalm 51: "A broken and contrite heart, 0 God, You will not despise." A war-horse is not fit for service until it is broken. No matter how strong or fast, he cannot serve until he is broken. Put him into battle and he will run wild at the slightest threat. But when he has been taught submission to authority, his master, the rider, can mount him; and under the toughest circumstances, he will not flinch. In the heat of battle with bullets, arrows, swords and knives, he will not retreat. He will not move away from his master's desires. He will do nothing to benefit himself in order to satisfy his master. Only when we are broken like this can we truly serve the Master. And with each breaking we are brought into more blessing. In fact, the more we are broken, the more authority, as well as anointing to serve and live for Christ, we are given. The process: our response to authority. 1Pet 2:13 & 18 (AMP) “Be submissive to every human institution and authority for the sake of the Lord, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, [You who are] household servants, be submissive to your masters with all [proper] respect, not only to those who are kind and considerate and reasonable, but also to those who are surly (overbearing, unjust, and crooked).” Servants = employees, students, church members, children. Masters = employers, teachers, church leadership or parents. When they are kind and gentle we usually don't buck. But God commands us not to buck when they are froward = harsh. Froward = unjust or tyrannical, dishonest, cruel, unreasonable, unfair treatment - God is pleased with you when you endure this (verse 19 & 21). What good is it? God knows what it will take to mold our minds and attitudes to godliness. Suffering this kind of treatment makes room for godly judgment, develops the character of Christ, and brings glory to God. When we are treated unfairly at the hands of authorities, we must maintain our focus that God is bringing us through for our good and His ultimate purpose. (I Peter 3:9) The blessing can be anything, but when you endure harsh treatment God will advance you in the Kingdom of God and bring you to a place where nothing can hurt you (1 Pet.3:9,13 & 4:1). Freedom from sin is the greatest blessing of life that I know and God alone knows what it will take to bring each of us to this place. 2Ti 2:12 “If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: if we deny [him], he also will deny us:” The same authority that you live under will be given to you in a greater way. God wants to set up for you a blessing when you encounter unreasonable authority. When you respond correctly, you become an overcomer, one who manifests the life of Christ. -Pr. Steve |
Biblical Counseling for Leaders
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