Wednesday, July 9, 2014

The Absolute Authority

“For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” – Psalm 119: 89

Do you believe that the Bible holds absolute authority over our lives?  The truth is whether saint or sinner, Jew or Gentile, Christian or Atheist, no matter who you are or what you believe; the Bible holds absolute authority over your life.  At first glance, this may seem freighting and overbearing; and I fear some only ever see God’s Holy Word this way, but if we can take a step back and look through a different lens, from a different perspective….you will find just the opposite is true.  The scripture holding absolute authority over our life brings glorious liberation, unimaginable peace, and perfect love.
If you were raised in a God fearing home where both your mother and your father loved God, loved you, and loved each other; you have been given a tremendous blessing.  There is no better educational institute than the Christian home.  As children, in a good home, one of the first things you learn is that Dad and Mom are the absolute authority in your life.  By and by we see kids get older, the carnal nature take hold and they begin to test the authority.  Some examples of this may be but not limited to:  “I don’t understand why mom and dad won’t let me go gallivanting across the country to a rock concert with kids 4 and 5 years older than I.”  “I don’t understand why I have to sit here and do homework.”  “WHY do we ALWAYS have to go to church?  I am tired and I’m not going!”  The Godly counsel and leadership of the parental unit, and the absolute authority they hold over a kids life is perceived by that child as a hindrance, not a help.  However sometimes (mind you not every time), the kids grow up to one day look back on their raising and say: “I am so glad Mom and Dad stood their ground and committed themselves to being good, Godly, Christ loving parents!”  How is it that at one point in your life you can be “so mad” at mom and dad, for being mom and dad, and then later in life be “so thankful” mom and dad were mom and dad.  What was it that changed?
Answer, you changed.  Your perspective, values, and outlook changed, you grew up and one day realized that the world does not revolve around you and despite what Burger King says you can’t always “have it you way”.  There are many who realize sooner or later that what mom and dad did; they did because they loved us and wanted what was best for us.  Through the lens of maturity, you are glad that absolute authority was given to your mom and dad because if it was given to you as a child you would have made a wreck of your life.  How much more our eternal soul?  How much more our spiritual lives?  If the idea of the Bible holding absolute authority over your life is freighting or overbearing, then the idea of God holding absolute authority over your life is also freighting and overbearing.  However, if we can change through Jesus Christ and begin to see that what God has on record in the Bible is in there because he loves us, then we become glad for the authority and take comfort in it.  His instructions, restrictions, limitations, and standards are there for our admonition and protection; as well as His promises and words of triumph.  He is a loving parental unit who wants only to guide you through this life and take you safety to a home in heaven.  Lord help us to trust the absolute authority of the Almighty and yield to his perfect instruction as obedient children. 

Absolute obedience to THE absolute authority will prove to be and produce the greatest blessings in your life; no matter your raising or background, race, creed or color, absolute obedience to God will bless you and those around you.  If we “come to ourselves” and realize that it is not my will, ways, and wishes, but His.  If we come to a place where we continually say “Have thine on way Lord.”  If you can look to the absolute authority through that perspective, then you will see the beauty in the Bible’s absolute authority and be glad for it.