“BY WHAT AUTHORITY?” – Part 4 of 4

 

“BY WHAT AUTHORITY?” – Part 4 of 4

“By what authority are You doing these things,

and who gave You this authority?”

(Mt. 21:23).

In Part 3 of this series, we saw that authority is absolute with God. It is important to remember that God alone possesses authority. When we speak of delegated authority, we are referring to our stewardship of something that is rightfully God’s—i.e., ‘authority’.

 

God’s words are a double-edged sword. (Eph. 5:17; Heb. 4:12). We must exercise care when wielding His sword. This care begins with understanding how God’s will and authority are expressed in His words. God’s will and His authority are synonymous. 

God’s authority is worthy of honor, and we honor it through faith and obedience to His will. These are simple concepts which identify His people. Read through the list of the faithful in Heb. 11 and you will find these characteristics in them.  

The ‘cutting’ done by this sword reveals the true desires of our hearts (Mt. 15:18-20). The Spirit’s sword is the word (Eph. 6:17). God’s authority is exercised as His sword cuts with accuracy (2 Tim. 2:15). This stresses the importance of understanding how God’s will and authority are expressed in His word.

God’s words are, at times expressed distinctly and with specifics. At other times it is not. However, this distinct manner is not without purpose. Again, it is to reveal the heart (cf. King Saul, 1 Sam. 10:8; 13:8-11). Failure to distinguish between generics and specifics in divine communication is a sprout that will reap a harvest of division and sin.

If Noah had failed to respect this distinction, the ark would have consisted of any wood of Noah’s choosing. God specified gopher wood; Noah’s heart was revealed. A simple but essential element in the exercise of faith. We must likewise recognize these distinctions in how God has expressed His authority. Our distinctions must harmonize with God’s.