Authority – Word for the Soul

“For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.” Romans 13:1 NLT

The God of the Bible clearly states that all authority placed on individuals on this earth comes from Him. That includes Presidents. The American people may feel their vote put their candidate in office, but it is ultimately God’s choice who will be the next President of the United States. The apostle Paul writes, “Those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.” (Ro.13:1b nlt) Being placed there by a holy God comes with the responsibility to administer their duties in a godly manner and what God directs through His Word, the Bible. This has nothing to do with any organized religion, but has everything to do with God, and God alone, and His Word being obeyed in every walk of life, and that includes governing a nation.

The commands of God throughout Scripture are not for only those in the day they were written. The Bible was written by 40 different authors through the Holy Spirit over 1,500 years. Obviously, it was not only for their time, but is God’s instruction book going forward for future generations to know Him, and His way of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ. It is also the manual on how to govern and to live in a fallen world. Those in authority need to heed what God says in His book. Government leaders must learn from the mistakes of the kings in the Old Testament with their paganism and anti-God lifestyle. The Roman Empire in the New Testament brought about great achievements to provide infrastructure that was needed and improved society, but they also were a corrupt and pagan government and eventually the Roman Empire fell.

The United States government is no different than any other country in the world. All leaders are in authority by God to rule, punish evil doers, maintain peace, and provide security and protection for those under their governance. They are under His authority to govern righteously in accordance with His Words laid out in Scripture. The next President of the United States may think their sole responsibility is to uphold the constitution, or save democracy, but it is to submit to the Lord God of heaven who gave them their authority to use righteously and governed accordingly.

A Christian Perspective

Respect for God’s Anointed

June 29, 2024June 21, 2024 Loring Schultz

“……For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.” Romans 13:1 NLT

“……The LORD forbid that I should do this to my lord the king and attack the LORD’s anointed one, for the LORD himself has chosen him.” 1 Samuel 24:6 NLT

There are more elections scheduled across the world in 2024 than at any time in history. Time magazine calls it ‘The Ultimate Election Year.’ “2024 is not just an election year. It’s perhaps the election year. Globally, more voters than ever in history will head to the polls as at least 64 countries (plus the European Union)—representing a combined population of about 49% of the people in the world—are meant to hold national elections, the results of which, for many, will prove consequential for years to come.” (1) No doubt, the outcomes of these global elections will shape the future of our world with the United States as the biggest factor. Before we as Christians put on our political party hats, may we remember that each person elected in every part of the world is God’s anointed, there are being placed by God Himself for His purposes.

Many of the world’s religions see this leadership overhaul as a possible beginning of the end bringing in a world leader with chaos erupting followed by the apocalypse. Some modern-day Christian theologians are comparing the signs recorded in Scripture with currents world events and seem to agree. Admittedly the signs are compelling, but Christians are to remain in the task at hand sharing the good news gospel of Jesus Christ unto salvation. The facts are, 1. Jesus is going to return to establish His kingdom on the earth, 2. No one knows when that day will be, and 3. We are to respect God’s anointed in our present day.

Every nation in our world has deep political differences within the electorate. Sadly, those divisions remain through the newly elected official’s term in office with the opposing party gearing up for the next election or planning to bring them down. Here in the United States over the last two decades with four Presidents from both parties, there was a central theme during their term in office, ‘not my President.’ Christians must take the lead in respecting government authorities, God’s anointed. We are not to agree or support policies and legislation that violates and contradicts God’s words in the Bible. We are to be good citizens, obeying the laws of our country that do not violate God’s laws. Christians are to be the preserving salt and light in a country that has lost its way slipping into darkness.

David, before he became king, was under King Saul who was seeking to kill him in his rage of jealousy. When an opportunity presented itself for David to kill Saul, his enemy, he refrained from doing so. David explained, “The LORD forbid that I should do this to my lord the king and attack the LORD’s anointed one, for the LORD himself has chosen him.” (1Sa.24:6 nlt) Saul was God’s chosen leader for the nation of Israel. He turned out not to be a very good king, but David respected God’s anointed. May we as Christians follow David’s example and respect all of God’s anointed who are in currently in office and those who be elected this November. May His will be done on earth as it is in heaven!

(1) https://time.com/6550920/world-elections-2024/

A Christian Perspective

Misplaced Trust

April 20, 2024April 19, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. ””Psalm 146:3 NLT

This morning as I write this, the news media is covering Israel’s attack on Iran in response to Iran’s attack on Israel a week earlier. News outlets are also reporting the arrest and suspensions of over one hundred students at Columbia University in a makeshift encampment as part of a pro-Palestinian protest. Anti-Semitism has been on the rise at Columbia along with many institutions of higher learning across the America. A week ago in Dearborn Michigan, anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian protesters chanted ‘Death to America’ and ‘Death to Israel.’ On Monday of this week, the state of New York has put a former President of the Unted States on trial for falsifying business records. And, this week, articles of impeachment were drawn up against the Dept. of Homeland Security Secretary for failing to secure the United States border. Yes, it does look like the United Staes and the world is on fire as the news media also reports.

The world asks the question, who can put out the fire? Where are the world’s most respected and knowledgeable negotiators willing to reach a peace deal? Are there any world leaders who will look out for the interests of their citizens and not for themselves? Are there leaders among us who will fight off corruption at every turn instead of looking the other way or covering it up? Do we have those in authority who will stand for truth wherever it leads them? It’s obvious if we had less leaders as listed above, we wouldn’t be feeling the heat from the flames spreading all around us. I’m not saying there is no hope, no hose to help extinguish the fire. This world has many good and decent, highly intelligent people in leadership that need our prayers and support. But be careful that your trust in them is not a misplaced trust.

Psalm 146 is the first of the joyous praise songs that closes the Psalter. It begins with praising the Lord, and then warns us where not to put our trust, being very specific. “Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them.” (Ps.146:3-4 nlt) The warning is clear. Our trust is not to be in powerful people, but in the Lord. “He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever.” (Ps.146:6 nlt) The rest of the Psalm continues with the guaranteed hope we have as we see God fulfill all His promises. We can be sure our trust in God is never a misplaced trust. Put your trust in Him.

Read: Psalm 146 NLT – Psalm 146 – Praise the LORD! Let all – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

With Authority

January 9, 2024January 6, 2024 Loring Schultz

“When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.” Matthew 7:28, 29 NLT

Authority is power based on the right to command. Those in positions of authority have the right to command those who are under their authority. Countless are the positions of authority in the world. Anyone in charge of anything is in authority. Most notable are those in governing positions from presidents, prime ministers, members of legislatures and parliaments down to local assemblies. Outside of governing, there are others with authority such as school teachers and administrators, a foreman over a group of workers, coaches and team captains, any managerial position in the vast businesses such as retail management where I have spent most of life, and the list continues. For all who hold positions of authority, do we realized that we do not have any real authority at all? Authority is power based on the right to command in which none of us have that right. The right to command belongs to God alone.

Paul, writing to the Romans, said the following, “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.” (Ro. 13:1 NLT) Again, those of us who are in authority, do we realize that we have been placed there by God?

When Jesus completed His teaching to the disciples in the Sermon on the Mount, those who witnessed and heard Jesus’ words were astonished. It was described as teaching with real authority. The people in the crowd often heard the teaching of the scribes. The scribes referred to tradition and quoting noteworthy rabbis. They presented nothing as coming from their own authority. A. B. Bruce is explained it simply, “The scribes spoke by authority, while Jesus spoke with authority.”

As Christians we have the authority to claim and preach the word of God as truth. Authority given to us by the one with the authority to do so, God the Father. Jesus spoke with authority as He is God the Son. He summed up His message on the mountain with an example of two builders. If one will obey the words Jesus spoke, he will be like a wise builder who built his house on a firm foundation, but the one who does not obey Jesus’s teaching will be like a foolish builder who builds his house on sand. Needless to say, one will stand and one will not. These words from the one who spoke ‘with authority.’

Tag: Authority

Responsibilities of a President in the Eyes of God

Respect for God’s Anointed

Misplaced Trust

With Authority