Good morning,
Those of us who are able to remember a long time ago (we are old) are in awe of how fast the authority of our country has become a thing of the past. In the past, when our leaders spoke, the world would listen. Now when our leaders speak, they speak as blind counselors who do their best to satisfy the demands of the new world powers that are emerging all around us. We have gone from “In God We Trust” to an approach based on “God is dead” We are becoming vulnerable to those who are willing to die for their faith in order to guarantee their place in heaven. As people who claim to be the followers of Jesus, we find ourselves in very much of the same position. When we reach out to the people around us with the truth of the Bible we are training our leaders to ask what people want to hear and what they want us to give them to live long and satisfying lives. The word success is the primary goal of our programs. The long term goals and the idea of willing obedience to our God and Savior is mentioned, but it is the culture around us that decides how we live in our day to day lives. The command “ If you love me, obey my commands” has been replaced by “Will they keep coming if we don’t do it their way?”
There is nothing new about our present set of problems. The writers of the New Testament did a lot of their writing to deal with false teachers and teaching that was designed to steer people away from the obedience that is the basis for our love for God and the life he longs for us to live. When the apostles wrote their letters they were faced with people who were still trying to have the benefits of a relationship with God without the sacrifice and discipline that is a part of serving the God of time and eternity. When Paul was writing his letter to the church at Corinth he was accused of using his authority to get his way because he was telling them what they didn’t want to hear. Paul’s authority came from the God he loved and served. When he used his authority, he was telling them to live lives that were pleasing to God. He was using his authority to build God’s genuine followers into more effective servants. He wasn’t tearing them down. Paul’s authority was based on “In God We Trust,” not “We must succeed.” He wasn’t a bully, he was a loving leader who knew what he was talking about. Dear Lord, will you please teach us to obey your truth and rely on your Holy Spirit for the words and the authority we need to keep your church healthy and growing for the honor and glory of you name.
2 Corinthians 10:8 I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority.
Roy Wisner
