Authority Issues

One of the toughest lessons we as Americans have to learn is how to handle authority issues in our lives. Let’s face it – we’re a nation of rebels! It’s in our cultural DNA. Add to that our sinful nature (We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way…Isaiah 53:6) and you’ve got a toxic mix that often leads us to NOT respond to authorities in our lives in a God-honoring fashion. We question it…buck it…second guess it…accuse it…dismiss it…everything but submit to it.

In God’s economy, however, honoring those authorities God has placed over us is a form of honoring God himself. Check this out...

• Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 1 Peter 2:13,14 (NIV)

• You who are servants, be good servants to your masters—not just to good masters, but also to bad ones. What counts is that you put up with it for God's sake when you're treated badly for no good reason. There's no particular virtue in accepting punishment that you well deserve. But if you're treated badly for good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God. 1 Peter 2:18-20 (The Message)

• In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5 (NLT)

• Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them? Hebrews 13:17 (The Message)

Government leaders...the people you work for...elders...church leaders...hmm...

So who has God placed in leadership over you?

Are you honoring them with your attitude, words and actions?

If you're a leader, are you living a life worth following?

Comments

[Dave]

You’re right – if you’re looking at submission and authority issues from the world’s perspective. God has a different perspective.

One of the prime examples of scripture is David, who submitted himself to Saul’s leadership before he became king himself. Saul was an evil leader who was rebellious against God and even demon possessed. Yet David submitted to his leadership and authority.

In 1 Samuel 24 David has an opportunity to take Saul’s life. Now keep in mind, David has already been anointed to be the next king. He could have justified his actions in anybody’s mind, but instead, he decides to cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.

1 Samuel 24:5 says, “David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men, ‘The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is anointed of the Lord.’”

David knew he had attacked the one that God had set in place as an authority figure in his life, even though Saul wasn’t worthy of respect or submission.

You also might want to re-read one of the passages quoted in the original post:

You who are servants, be good servants to your masters—not just to good masters, but also to bad ones. What counts is that you put up with it for God's sake when you're treated badly for no good reason. There's no particular virtue in accepting punishment that you well deserve. But if you're treated badly for good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God. 1 Peter 2:18-20 (The Message)

This certainly wouldn’t be very popular or politically correct in our culture today. Paul says to slaves, “Be good slaves even if your master is a bad master.” Again, he doesn’t say, “Be good slaves if your masters have earned your respect.”

What we often fail to realize is that God uses authority figures in our lives – good ones and bad ones – to shape and mold our hearts. David would never have been the king he eventually was if he had rebelled against Saul.

[Greg]

Leadership, authority and respect are all intertwined. Of the three, it is respect that must be earned by the leader not assumed. A small percentage of respect is automatic due to the nature of the position, but a good leader earns respect thru proper leadership and by leading thur example.