Authority

What is it to have real authority? Who really walks in it? Do Politicians? Do Church leaders? Why is it necessary to our lives?

It appears that in Government, at least here in Australia, the political leaders appear to have authority but they do not. If they make an unpopular decision then the media make a big deal of it, then the opinion polls show that they have lost favor in the eyes of the public and so they cower in fear of losing their position and change their minds. This is not having real authority because the ones that cause them to fear really have the power. 

ROMANS 13 : 1 NKJV

13 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.


If then the authorities are appointed by God why do they fear losing popularity and being removed from their position? Surely if God has appointed someone and they are doing His will no one could remove them. Are they doing His will? Is this why they live in fear of the people? I believe that the answer is yes and it is because they doing their own will for their own vain glory. The above scripture also says that their is no authority except from God, therefore all authority is to those who are submitted under God.

LUKE 20 : 1-8 NKJV


20 Now it happened on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel, that the chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, confronted Him and spoke to Him, saying, “Tell us, by what authority are You doing these things? Or who is he who gave You this authority?”
But He answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, and answer Me: The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men?”
And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know where it was from.
And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Do you see the authority that Jesus has? He baffled the church leaders time and time again with ease. His authority was brought into question and He showed that they had no answer for it. So it is the same for all of those who are in Him. (Those who are truly obeying The Holy Spirit.)

LUKE 12 : 11 NKJV

11 “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say.12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

God has called His true disciples to make disciples of the whole world, teaching and preaching His word with authority and power. How much of this is happening today? Why not? Is it because it will be unpopular? Is it because favor or position could be lost? It looks to me to be a parallel to the politicians of today.

ACTS 5 : 18 - 42 NKJV


18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”
21 And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

Apostles on Trial Again

22 But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, 23 saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” 24 Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. 25 So one came and told them, saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”
26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”
29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Gamaliel’s Advice

33 When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. 34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 38 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”
40 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Verse 29 :29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. 

Verse 39 :39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”

You see if one is obeying God then that one has authority. If people live for their own vain glory then they will fear the opinions of others and those others will really have authority over them. Therefore if we obey God alone then we have nothing to fear because we come under His authority and He will give us victory in every situation.

If you do not believe that you have real authority in your life do not despair you can obtain it. It is simply a matter of asking God to show you how to obtain it and walk in it. Remember, ASK, SEEK, KNOCK! Do not it expect it to happen overnight, but it will happen if you are sincere with God.

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