E.   Be on guard against an unhealthy view of authority.

1.   Signs of an unhealthy relationship with authority.

a.   When everything must be clear in black and white look out. Insistence upon complete closure on all issues is a red flag.

b.   Complete unquestioned trust in another person is not wise.

c.   The inability to trust another person at any level is a sign of trouble.

d.   A lack of balanced reason with respect to experience, tradition, community, Scripture, and inner prompting of the Spirit is not good.

2.   Cardinal rules of submission to authority.

a.   Accept responsibility for your beliefs and conduct while recognizing that we each have different constraints and gifts.

b.   Respect God-ordained institutions (government, family, church) while at the same time realizing that they are not infallible.

c.   Approach your understanding of the Bible with humility, expectancy, reverence, and patience.

d.   Present yourself as a living sacrifice while taking active responsibility for your life and ministry decisions.

F.   What is the role of human authority in the believer’s life?

1.   Spheres of human authority.

a.   Civil - Jn.19:11 Jesus addressing Pilate, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above.”

b.   Commerce - Col.3:22-23 “Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.”

c.   Church - Heb.13:11 “Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.”

d.   Family - Col.3:18-20 “Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be embittered against them. Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.”

2.   The two fold responsibility of those under human authority.

a.   Obedience - a spirit of submission

      I Pet.2:13 “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority. or to governors as sent by him”

b.   Appeal - a need for accountability

1.   I Tim.5:1-2 “Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father . . . older women as mothers.”

2.   Col.4:1 “Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.”

3.   Two positions that those under human authority must avoid.

a.   A spirit of resignation - (blind obedience) - The failure to make a proper appeal to authority and hold authority accountable.

b.   A spirit of rebellion - (selfish pride) - The failure to cultivate a spirit of submission.

4.     Attitudes that reflect spiritual maturity.

a.      A willingness to forgive. Eph.4:32 “And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

b.      A willingness to forebear. Prov.25:15 “By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone.” Eph.4:2 “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love.”

c.      A willingness to compromise. On issues of fundamentals to the faith we should not compromise but we must decide on what other issues we are willing to stand firm on. In many cases, the unity of the church is more important than having our preferences on every issue.

d.      A willingness to yield. In order for there to be harmony and unity in any organization there must be a willingness to yield to others, usually the majority or the leadership. This does not mean that there is no room for debate or appeal but at some point there must be a willingness to yield.

5.  How to appeal to those in authority.

a.      Deal with the human spirit of autonomy. Rom.12:1-2 “1 I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, {which is} your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

1.      All are to submit to the authority of God.

2.      Those who are submitted to God’s authority will respect “God ordained” authority – civil, church, family, etc.

b.     Expect God to use circumstances to develop and demonstrate your character.

1.      The pressure of circumstances can reveal your hidden motives and spiritual strongholds.

2.      Your response to circumstances is the sphere were you have responsibility and control.

c.      The prerequisites to an effective appeal to authority.

1.      We cannot appeal without love.

2.      We cannot appeal without humility. It should be recognized that we all are going to make mistakes of the tongue (Jas.3:1-12) and we each will have areas that are vulnerable to critique.

3.      We cannot appeal without facts.

4.      We cannot appeal without respect.

d.     Talk to God - Pray - We are to cast our cares on God because He cares for us. I Pet.5:7 “casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.”

e.      Talk to those responsible (not about them behind their back).

1.      As much as possible, when giving a negative report, speak as though the person you are talking about is present.

2.      Do not share negative reports with people who are not a part of the problem or the solution.

3.      Distinguish between facts and feelings in speaking to or about others.

4.      Note that those in positions of leadership are vulnerable and easy targets for misunderstanding and criticism, which has the effect of undermining their ability to perform their duties. For this reason, they need protection and respect above and beyond that of others.

f.      Be gracious with both favorable and unfavorable responses.

g.     Be sensitive to the right timing.

1.     Speaking the truth in love. Eph.4:15 “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects unto Him, who is the head, even Christ.”

2.     Speaking graciously. Eph.4:29 “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

5.     How are leaders to respond to those who resist or question their decisions?

I Pet. 5 “1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as {your} fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to {the will of} God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

 

a.  Leaders are to take the role and attitude of a servant.

b.  Leaders are to recognize that they can easily abuse those under their care.

c.  Leaders are to respect the wisdom that can come from diversity of perspective.

d.  Leaders communicate love to those under their charge as they work hard to listen to, understand, and show respect for those who challenge them.

e.      Leaders must discern the spirit of those who resist them.

1.     A rebellious spirit must be disciplined while a Godly spirit is to be respected.

2.   A “weaker” or “younger” believer is to be given more grace and forbearance than a “Pharisee”.

 

The Point   The Scripture is given to us not to satisfy our curiosity but to change our lives.

Response

 

Head I am to understand that: The Bible, when rightly understood, is the most important source of wisdom for life. Heart I am to believe that: The truths of the Bible can lead to positive change in my life and the lives of others. Hands I am to behave by: Submitting to what I understand to be God’s will.

Pastoral advice

 

Questions that you should be able to answer.

1.  Specific facts you should know.

a.  What is the meaning of “Biblical authority”?

b.  Where does the Scripture speak of religious authority?

2.  Issues that you should be able to discuss.

a.  What are some of the principles of sound Biblical interpretation?

b.  What are the signs of an unhealthy relationship with authority?

c.  What are some of the factors that influence our interpretation of the Bible?

3.  Questions you should wrestle with.

a.  How do Scripture, Science, The Spirit, and Society interact in the interpretation of the Bible?

b.  How free is our will in responding to the Bible? What factors limit our will?

 

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