How God Uses Authority in our Lives

Rom 13:1-- "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no authority but of God; the authorities that be are ordained by God."


No human really likes authority. We are independent, we like our space, we like to do things in our time, and in our way, and we detest someone coming in and trying to make us do things we don't want to do. It is human nature-- our fallen human nature.


But God has set it up by putting certain authorities over us, so that we can learn to overcome our fallen nature, and to respond positively to His authority in our lives. It may be teacher, boss, husband, coach, police officer, government agency.... but we all have authorities in our lives, and many times these are the source of frustration, anger, or sadness.



Why does God put authorities in our lives?



1. To drive us to Himself

Acts 4 is a great example of this--after Peter and John had healed a lame man, such ruckus was started and so many people were hearing and responding the Word of God, the authorities (priests, captain of the temple, and Sadducees, v. 1)stepped in to try and stop it. Verse 18-- "and they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus..." What did they do with these threats-- v.23-30--
And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

They took their concerns, and the names of those in authority over them to their sovereign Lord for Him to deal with.


2. To teach us needed character.

At times, there is something lacking in our character that can be added into our heart through this problem with authority. For example, God may want to teach us character qualities such as endurance, love, compassion, forgiveness, faith, submission, patience just to name a few. Jesus said in Matt. 5-- "Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely..."



3. To reveal indwelling character

At times our authority can be the motivation that moves us to action, or nudges us to take a stand that we've been hesitant to take. Acts 5:29 reveals a time when the apostles were alone, Jesus had been crucified, and Peter had stood to preach, and thousands had been saved. And this apostle, the one with the reputation for being impulsive, and timid when it came to boldly proclaiming his allegiance to Jesus Christ, now had stood to preach. Thousands had been born again, and the authorities were so concerned about it, they put them in jail. Then they brought them before the council, threatened them, and told them not to preach any more in Jesus' name, and let them go. Look at how they responded to this governmental and religions authority--"we ought to obey God rather than man..." Peter, the same guy that couldn't stand up to a maid as he stood around the fire watching his master's trial, now stands up to authorities who have threatened him and have the power to put him in jail. This episode was used to reveal newly developed character and strength in Peter's life, and give him an opportunity to exhibit what was in his heart.

At times, we want to be anonymous, or stay uninvolved as Christians, and God allows things to come into our lives from authorities to make us decide what is the line we will not cross, where are our convictions, what things are we to take a stand on? And God nudges us to take that stand toward our authorities.



4. To accomplish or reveal His will.

God uses our authorities so reveal His will to us at times. A teen, whose parent is against a decision, friendship, or dating relationship can know God's will in that. "Children, obey your parents...." God may change their minds, but until He does, that teen can rest in God's will as revealed through his parental authority.

At times, He uses our authority to accomplish His will--

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked the Father if there weren't any other way, to let this cup pass from Him... but nevertheless for His will to be done. And God's will was to let Pilate's decree stand and for the Son of God to be crucified for our sins.

One of the great and difficult ways of God in our lives, is in dealing with authority. God uses even ungodly authority in our lives for His own purpose.