Jan
7
4 big ideas: #2-authority
Filed Under Christian Living, Four big ideas, The Church
In preaching through Galatians last year I identified four big ideas that run through Paul’s letter. Those four big ideas should form and shape how ministry is carried out in the day-to-day life of the Church. I am trying to embody them in my own ministry and to impart them to our leaders at First, Kosciusko. This is the second of the four big ideas, which are truth, authority, integrity and love.
AUTHORITY: Some people speak, and we ought to listen. As believers we recognize, exercise, and submit to godly authority in Christ’s name. Most of the first two chapters of Paul’s letter to that Galatian churches is a reassertion of Paul’s apostolic authority. The revelation of the gospel of God through the ministry of men makes us attentive and submissive to those who serve us in the ministry of the gospel (1:1, 1:11-2:14; 5:11; 6:17). God has instituted the government and discipline of the Church. Pastors, elders, presbyteries, councils, and church courts can erred and have erred, but this does not negate their legitimate authority.
I have taken a vow in which I promised submission to my brethren in the Lord. They have a right to exercise that authority in conformity with word of God. My brethren in the Lord have a right to examine my theological views, to ask me if I’m sleeping with anyone other than my wife or if I’m dealing well with my children. Convened as a Session, Presbytery or General Assembly, they have a right to make decisions that I oppose. I have promised to submit. My friend Tim Starnes in Cleveland, Mississippi, was the first one I ever heard say, “I don’t mind submitting, just as long as it was something I was already inclined to do anyway.” Thankfully, Tim was being facetious, but I understand all too well that impulse.
I have also taken a vow in which I promised to exercise godly authority in the Church. Paul urges Titus, ‘Exhort and rebuke with all authority,’ and he speaks twice to the Corinthians about the authority the Lord has given him ‘for building up and not for tearing down’ (2 Corinthians 10:8; 13:10). My comfort or convenience cannot trump my duty to exercise my God-granted authority as a minister of the gospel.
We live in an age that chafes against authority, and thus our minds become so trivial and banal and petty and earthly that we find ourselves incapable of trembling under the Word of God. We do not shudder to think of the horror of rejecting Christ. We yawn at a word like anathema. The wrath of God is revealed to shake us out of our stupor and humble us, and God typically informs of us through human authorities.
Peace and mercy be upon all those who walk by this rule…
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