Under Authority

Posted on by korgrocker

“A man should not wear anything on his head when worshipping, for man is made in God’s image and reflects God’s glory. And woman reflects man’s glory. For the first man didn’t come from woman, but the first woman came from man. And man was not made for woman, but woman was made for man. For this reason, and because the angels are watching, a woman should wear a covering on her head to show she is under authority.”
1 Corinthians 11:7-10 NLT

Another few verses from 1 Corinthians that, at least at first sight, are incompatible with the views in today’s society, particularly for women. If we did a survey today on any high street in Britain, and asked a woman if she was wearing a hat to show that she is under the authority of someone, what do we think she would say? But this interpretation of authority is not totally accurate. Paul was referring to spiritual authority, which is something very different from secular points of view. Paul was still writing about God’s spiritual order, summarised in 1 Corinthians 11:3, “But there is one thing I want you to know: The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God”. But spiritual authority is always displayed as a natural equivalent. Take men, for example. They are unable to say that Christ is their head if they behave in a way that is incompatible with their belief. Such a conflicted man may worship Christ in a Sunday service, but if he denies Christ in the workplace, how is Christ his head? The same principle applies to a wife, who may look to her husband for spiritual guidance, but then runs him down outside the school gates. All believers have an obligation to be under authority, something which ultimately, either directly or indirectly, ends up at God’s throne. Whether we believers like it or not, the authority implied in God’s order applies throughout every facet of our lives. 

Colossians 1:15-16, “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him”. These verses establish the fact that Christ is the authority over all, including men and women, and, although authority may be delegated, Christ is the ultimate Creator and the One to whom everyone is accountable. 

In Romans 13:1, Paul wrote, “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God”. This is a hard one for people, even Christians, to accept, particularly when the government of a country is not a good one. Everyone we meet in the street will have an opinion about how they could do a better job of government. But such thoughts are contrary to what God has established. God is not pleased with those who rebel against a country’s government. But what should Christians do if a government passes a law that is contrary to God’s laws? We have such a situation in the UK, with the law concerning abortion. Some Christians are prepared to stand up and declare that such a law is wrong, even to the extent of practising some form of civil disobedience. However, we believers have a responsibility to obey the government of the day. Still, in the case of a conflict between laws passed by the government and God’s higher laws, God’s laws will prevail, even though that might cause a Christian particular difficulties. We must pray that we never have to face the situation described in Revelation 13:16-17, regarding a law passed by the “beast” – “He required everyone—small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name”. 

No matter who we are, male or female, we must have the right attitude towards authority, because one day we will have to stand before God to give an account of our lives. 2 Corinthians 5:10 reads, “For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body”. I should add that this judgment of Christians does not affect our salvation. This judgment is specifically for believers and is not a judgment of condemnation but one of evaluation for rewards. 

Our example is Jesus, and we look to Him as the Author and Perfector of our faith. Back to Philippians 2:5-6, “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to”. Jesus knew all about God’s order. Although He challenged the rulers of His day, He never sinned, and he was ultimately crucified as a result of their decree. Today, we pray in an attitude of humility and submission to God for help in living this life we have in God’s way. 

Dear Father God. Thank You for revealing once again the importance of authority, Your authority, and helping us to evaluate the attitudes of our hearts. We pray for forgiveness for all the times we have got this wrong. Amen.

Despising Authority

Posted on by korgrocker

“So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment. He is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire, and who despise authority. These people are proud and arrogant, daring even to scoff at supernatural beings without so much as trembling.”
2 Peter 2:9-10 NLT

‭Authority is not a popular word these days. Whether we citizens of Western societies like it or not, there will be people in authority over us. If we are at school, there will be teachers and the head master or mistress. In work, there is the foreman or employer, manager or supervisor. In civil society there’s the police, or a judge or magistrate. If we are sick and end up in hospital, there are doctors and nurses. Then there are the bank managers, politicians, and lawyers. Even in our homes, there will be certain rules to be followed, set there by an implicit authority. We must also consider that there is such a thing as spiritual authority, and this introduces a different perspective, a Godly perspective, on what authority really means. 

In our secular societies, the concept of authority can upset people. Sinful people want to be free. Free to violate laws. Free to insult our teachers, our policemen and women, our medics and so on. And all because many people feel it is their “right” to push back against those who do not share their world view, or do not endorse what they consider to be their “rights”. Whereas people in authority were respected by past generations, even if their decisions or behaviour didn’t warrant it, today’s authority figures are often afraid to exercise that authority, for fear of social media fuelled abuse or worse. Many ideological groups have emerged and they will sometimes violently reject any authority figure who does not agree with them. We see that happening with issues over climate change, over sexuality and marriage, over transgender “rights”. And we see it particularly when opinions about Israel or the Jews are expressed. 

The highest authority that we know of is God Himself. There is no authority higher than Him. We read Genesis, and see how God created everything. That gives Him absolute authority over all His creation. He is free to exercise that authority at any time, but we are grateful that God is kind, compassionate and loving, righteous and fair. He exemplifies true and perfect authority. And we see throughout the Bible, how God delegated authority to certain individuals throughout Israel’s history. We see the laws given to Moses, God’s sovereign laws designed to be followed for the good of the people. Jeremiah had a prophetic message for the Jews in exile – the account is in Jeremiah 30 – and we read that God wanted to bring His people home to the land He had provided for them, and He said, “You will be my people, and I will be your God” (Jeremiah 30:22). His authority was purely motivated by the highest good for His people.

But some people get a bit upset when Holy-Spirit-inspired rules and laws, as recorded in the Bible, cut across what today’s “enlightened” society thinks. Some individuals take authoritative Bible verses out of context and bandy them around to embarrass God-fearing believers. I used to work with a man who always tormented me for my faith by claiming that believers have to hate their families to be a proper Christian, and he quoted, out of context, Luke 14:26 (NKJV), “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple”. But there are other teachings about authority that can be contentious to some. Take for example 5:23-24, “For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Saviour of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything“. But again this can be taken out of context, by omitting Ephesians 5:21, 25, 28, “submitting to one another in the fear of God. …  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, … So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself“. 

There is teaching in the New Testament about being obedient to secular authorities. Romans 13:1-2, “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.” ‭This really puts into context the role of a Christian in secular society. Paul goes on, “The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong” (Romans 13:4). There is only one “get out” to these Romans verses – God is the higher authority when there is a conflict, and this fact has cost many their lives, as they stand up in obedience to God and His ways. 

Peter wrote that God “is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire, and who despise authority“. Believe it or not, God set out the way humans should apply their sexuality, and it is interesting that Peter particularly emphasised the importance of getting this right. Looking inwards at our own sexual desires in an unhealthy way will apparently lead to the despising of authority. Many in society today lack a moral compass because they have rejected God and all His wonderful Biblical precepts. Without it, they are unable to discern what is right and wrong and try and impose their own “twisted” ways on all they do, or get involved with.

God knows what is best for us Pilgrims. We are saved, are being saved and will be saved (Justification, Sanctification and Glorification) and look forward to that glorious day when God’s authority will shine out in a relationship of love. His authority is perfect. Jesus said, “For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light“. That’s how it will be in God’s presence as we journey towards Paradise.

Dear Father God. You are perfect in all Your ways, and we submit to Your authority this day and always. Amen.

Leadership (2)

Posted on by korgrocker

“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”
Romans 12:6-8 NLT

We continue looking at the qualities of a church leader. In a previous blog we looked at the contentious requirement of a leader being male, as we read in the teaching of Paul to Timothy, and listed in 1 Timothy 3:2, “So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach“.  We also previously considered the requirement for a leader to be “above reproach”. 

The next item on Paul’s list is the need for the leader to “exercise self-control”. This is the ability to manage emotions and impulses so that the person appears stable and reliable. He (or she) won’t react in response to a provocation. There will be no angry outbursts, or floods of tears. No going off in a huff. There may be turmoil internally, but the person externally is always in full control of their emotions. Surely this is a big ask, because we are all human. And a leader is no exception. At times of stress, or tiredness, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to always restrain our outward response to a situation. But Paul was clear – a leadership quality is being able to “exercise self-control”. Furthermore, Romans 8:9, “But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all)”. The inclusion of the Holy Spirit in every aspect of our Christian living is essential, because without Him we will respond in a worldly way.

Paul wrote that a leader must be able to “live wisely”. That is a statement that is surely extremely broad in its scope. Paul wrote about living wisely to the Ephesian church. Ephesians 5:15-16, “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days“. The implication of this verse is that we should live very carefully because the time in which we live is evil. I don’t think any of us would dispute Paul’s analysis! In Paul’s day he discerned evil. Today every time we watch or read the news, what do we find – evil. We hear evil talk on the bus, or in the workplace or school. We observe behaviour around us that is – evil. Living wisely, then, is to avoid and reject evil. Instead we should seek the opposite of evil, which is goodness. This is a lifestyle choice and one we should look for in what we do and how we do it. We worship a good God, and He has infused our society with goodness. And if we look for it, we will find it.

A good reputation is a necessary quality of a leader. Our reputations are gained by being law-abiding, gracious, kind, merciful, having integrity and honesty, all qualities that combine with others to enable those around us to look up to them. Sadly, the leaders in our societies, our politicians, so often fail to display a good reputation, and are regarded as rogues, to be voted out of office at the earliest possible opportunity. Occasionally, those who lose the “good reputation” badge can regain it, as did the UK politician Jonathan Aitken. But most leaders who fail to live up to the right standards disappear, never to be seen again.

A leader “must enjoy having guests in his home”. Hospitality is a necessary quality of a leader. A guest will see how the leader, and his family live together. Jesus taught about the importance of being hospitable in Matthew 25, “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home” (Matthew 25:34-35). Hebrews 13:2, “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realising it“. And there are many others verses in the Bible promoting the importance of being hospitable; such a quality shines in a leader.

Lastly, in Paul’s list, is the importance of a leader being able to teach. This implies the ability of being able to communicate, and communicate well. Sharing a vision or goal, appropriate to the church, with enthusiasm and clarity, and with the authority that comes from a leadership position. Teaching in a Biblical sense didn’t always hit the mark though. Jesus was a good teacher and immediately His audience could discern the difference between His teaching and that of the scribes and teachers in the Jewish society. Mark 1:22, “The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law“. But we must always remember the responsibility placed upon those who teach. James 3:1, “Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly“. A teacher holds a position of great influence and has to be careful of what he or she teaches.

We pilgrims may or may not officially be leaders. But we may still have the motivational gift of teaching, a quality that will stand us well in the communities where we live and work. 

Father God. Again we pray for our leaders, both in our societies and in the church. They have an awesome responsibility and need You to lead and guide them. Thank You. Amen.

Morning Stars

Posted on by korgrocker

“To all who are victorious, who obey Me to the very end, to them I will give authority over all the nations. They will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots. They will have the same authority I received from My Father, and I will also give them the morning star! “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches.”
Revelation‬ ‭2:26-29‬ ‭NLT

These are difficult verses to get our minds around. We understand the need to be victorious, to be able to come to the end of our journeys through life, intact but triumphant, perhaps a bit bruised and battered, but able to stand before Jesus, saying, like the Apostle Paul, “As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” (2 Tim 4:6-7). An obedient and faithful end to our lives ticks the “victorious” box. 

But Jesus then goes on to say we victors will have authority over all the nations. But wait a minute! We’ve just crossed the Great Divide into our new life in Heaven and Jesus gives us a new assignment. We’re told we will have authority over all the nations. What about the rest we read about in Hebrews 4, “So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labours, just as God did after creating the world.” What about the wonderful fictional stories of getting to Heaven where we will be kitted out with a pair of wings and given a harp to play while sitting on a cloud? 

But Jesus goes on to say that the “victorious” will be ruling the nations with an iron rod. Someone who rules with an iron rod brings to mind a person who is maintaining strong discipline, if necessary using physical force and punishment. Nothing wishy-washy here. No democratic shenanigans. And we read that the iron rod approach will smash the nations like clay pots. Why is Jesus proposing such a hard line? We must bear in mind two events portrayed in the Bible. In Psalm 2 we read that there will come a time when the nations of the world will conspire to destroy the Kingdom of God. Verse 2 reads, “The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against His Anointed One“. Such arrogance! And in verse 9 we read again, “You will break them with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots“. There will come a time when God’s righteous judgement will prevail, and from today’s verses in Revelation, it looks as though we will have a role to play. You see, as Christian we have picked the winning side. There will one day be a pay back time for rebellious and sinful nations and generations, and Jesus has delegated to us His authority over them. However, how that will all pan out in practice is still hidden from us.

The second event prophesised in the Bible concerns Jesus Himself. We are told unequivocally in several places in Scripture that one day Jesus will come again. In some ways we are living between two major events – Jesus’ first coming as a baby, born to a young peasant girl in Bethlehem, and His second coming, with power and glory. Matthew 24:30, “And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory“. 

So what do we make of this revelation that we will be ruling the nations? These verses today give us a tiny glimpse of what may be coming. We don’t know what the future holds, but we do know who holds the future. That’s good enough for me. And as we stay close to our wonderful Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus, we are assured of our future. His love and grace will cover us like a cloak, and one day we will be in His presence. 

As well as His authority, Jesus promised to give the Thyatiraeans “the morning star“. In astronomical terms, the morning star is the planet Venus, reflecting the light of the sun, giving a hint of the coming day. So those who will be ruling and reigning with Jesus will perhaps reflect the glory of God in the life to come. And in our time here and now in 21st Century planet earth we have the opportunity to show the glory of God to the people in our families and our communities. In our schools and workplaces. In the supermarkets and gyms. How do other people see us? As a God-reflection or as a misery? As a morning star or a black hole? Hmmm…

Dear Lord, we thank You for Your revelation of our future in Your presence. And we thank You that You have entrusted to us Your mission to the communities and families around us. Please helps us to be as effective in this life as we will be in the life to come. In Jesus’ name. Amen.