Authority from God and for God

In each of the four Gospels we read of how Jesus amazed the crowds with His words. He taught with authority!

Matthew 7:28-29; When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Mark 1:27-28; The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

Luke 4:31-37; Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority. In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice,  “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!” And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.

John 7:15; The Jews were amazed and asked, "How did this man get such authority without having studied?"

I desire this type of authority. The authority that comes straight from God. The authority in teaching God's Word that amazes. 

But perhaps this is the problem. As long as I desire an authority that will amaze other people, I will not possess this type of authority in speaking and teaching the Word of God. 

John 7:16-19; Jesus answered, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.

The desire for authority is not wrong as long as it is a desire for authority from God and authority for God.

As long as it is recognized that God is the giver of such authority.

As long as the authority given brings honor to God and not me. 

Authority from God will only come once I get rid of selfishness.

Thoughts on Titus 3:1-2

This past Sunday our class was reading from Titus 3;

1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

Of course, just as this verse points to, we began to discuss our view of government, authorities, and politics. We began to talk about a believer's role regarding these matters and when we are to stand up, step forward and declare that "enough is enough".

In light of this, I considered this passage from Titus, Verse 2 specifically struck me, especially the words "slander", "peaceable", and "considerate".

First Paul writes that a believer is to slander no one. This speaks of our leaders and those in authority, but also of our family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors - everyone! This means no gossip, no ill talk, no lies - nothing - no slander.

But then Paul writes that we are to be peaceable. Yet this isn't always easy. There are things that really seem to get my blood boiling and things that upset me and make me downright angry. Is Paul stating that we truest need to be peaceable at all times? Weren't there times when Jesus wasn't peaceable? And, aren't there things in our culture that we are to stand for and to stand against? As believers aren't we called to speak for the rights of the oppressed and persecuted? Aren't we called to preach the Word, be salt in the world, and to be a light for the world? So, how can we do all of this and still be peaceable at all times?

See, that's where the third word comes in; "considerate". There will be things that strike us, upset us, or even upset us. And these are the moments that we must remember to be considerate. As believers we must step back, even remove ourselves from the situation for a time, to evaluate and consider the larger picture. Ask; "Am I angry because this inconveniences me or causes me some sort of personal difficulty?" or "Am I angry because this us something that God's Word speaks against and breaks His Heart?"

If your angry stems from a personal inconvenience than peaceable you must be! Pray for it and it will come. But, if yourconcerned based on an attack on God's will and His way, you must stand against the matter and peace may not be the answer. Yet here is where Paul's final statement cones in; "always to be gentle toward everyone".

Whatever the case, in peace or in conflict, we are called to be gentle. As believers we are called to be hard on sin but not harsh toward sinners.