Absolute Authority

The rejection of authority and the failure to respect it is the primary cause for the problems being experienced in our homes, in our educational institutions, in our government, and in the church. Everyone has an opinion and everyone wants to rule.

Today, there seem to be no absolutes, with no right and wrong, only compromises of the truth. Everyone wants to elevate his own opinion to be the supreme law. All want to be their own boss. Surely, the words of Judges 17:6 have a familiar ring, “. . . every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” As the old saying goes, “Too many chiefs and not enough Indians.”

There are too many speakers and not enough listeners. To that end, the Apostle Paul wrote, “… let God be found true, but every man a liar” (Rom. 3:4). If we want reason instead of the moral insanity that is all around us today we need to see three imperative truths inherent in this statement:

Allow God To Have Absolute Authority

If Christians know that the Lord is true, why don’t they obey Him? God is the manifestation of all truth (Jn 14:6). The Bible tells us in various places that God cannot lie (Num. 23:19 ff; Tit. 1:2; Heb. 6:18; 2 Tim. 2:10-13). In spite of this, there are few who will “let God be true” and have the absolute authority over them.

Many are impressed with their own ability to reason things out. It has become evident that the majority of people will follow their own reasoning in whatever they do. Jeremiah revealed why some won’t submit themselves to God’s Will when he wrote, “As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the Lord, we will not listen to you! But we will certainly do whatever has gone out of our own mouth, to burn incense to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her, as we have done, we and our fathers, our kings and our princes, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. For then we had plenty of food, were well-off, and saw no trouble (Jer 44:16,17). The road that leads to life eternal is strait and narrow and even if some find it, even fewer are willing to stay on it (Matt 7:13,14). Why? Because when we follow God, the world hates us (Jn 17:14) and thus persecutes us (2 Tim 3:12), even as it did Christ and His apostles, our examples to follow (1 Cor 11:1 f; 1 Pet 2:19-21).

Let Man Be Found A Liar

In the Lord’s church, we are divided over an institutionalized course of pragmatism, and brethren have defied God’s Word by allowing so-called expediency to override His authority.

Most cannot bring themselves to see that everyone is wrong who goes contrary to the word of God. Now be certain you see that includes you, your loved ones, your friends, teachers, and preachers. “Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity” (Psa. 62:9). We must all say with Jeremiah, “0 Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walks to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23). As wise as mankind thinks himself to be (Isa 5:21),  the way of man’s wisdom results in death (Prov. 14:12 ff; Rom. 6:23; Jam. 1:13-15). Let us remember that wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it, and right is right even if no one is doing it.

Prove Your Allegiance By Your Obedience

God has placed a high premium on obedience: “. . . Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry” (1 Sam. 15:22-23). Jesus told his disciples, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matt. 16:24). “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (Jn 14:15 f; 1 Jn 5:3). It is only when we are obedient to God that we are allowing Him to have absolute authority over us. Speaking of Israel, Paul wrote: “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Rom 10:3). Israel is our example of what not to do (1 Cor 10:1-12). God grafted Israel out and the Gentiles in because of their unbelief (Rom 11). “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness: otherwise you also shall be cut off” (Rom 11:22). Therefore brethren, let us submit to God and let Him be true that we may inherit the blessing of eternal life in heaven!