As a youngster, there were several people in my life who spoke with authority. Certainly, my parents would be at the top of that list. I can also think of the principals, teachers, and ball coaches of my schools. The elders of the church, as well as the preacher and Bible class teachers spoke with authority. As one thinks about the subject of authority, we come to understand what it is at a very young age. Most of us learn that if you cross the authority, there will be dreadful consequences. But as we mature and become independent, there is the danger of throwing off all authority, as the Israelites did in the period of the judges: In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25, NKJV). Instead of freedom, the people found themselves enslaved, both to sin and to the heathen of the land.
At the end of Jesus' most famous sermon, the Bible says, that the people were astonished at His teaching (Matthew 7:28). Why? For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes (Matthew 7:29). Jesus spoke with authority. Several times, Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said by those of old... but I say to you..." Over the years, the people paid attention to the oral teachings and traditions of men. Jesus was bringing them back to the written word of God, thereby pronouncing the will of God, and rebuking the will, or the desires of men. The scribes had failed to do so, and Jesus would expose their hypocrisy (cf. Matthew 23:1-36).
Every Christian must understand that the New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the authority for our lives. On the day of judgment, everyone will be judged by the words of Jesus (John 12:48), who has the words of eternal life (John 6:68). After Jesus ascended back to heaven to sit at the right hand of God, he said the Holy Spirit would guide the apostles into all truth (John 16:13). Jude wrote that the faith, the complete doctrine of Christ, was delivered in the lifetime of the apostles (Jude 3). This teaching was written down and preserved for us today so that we can know and do the will of God and thus have the hope of heaven (1 John 5:13).
Being that the New Testament is our authority, we must not add to or take away from God's word, but we must abide in the doctrine of Christ (2 John 1:9). Jesus said that those who will enter into heaven are those who will live under and obey this authority (Matthew 7:21). The Old Testament is profitable for our learning and our admonition (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11), but we cannot be justified by the law of Moses (Acts 13:38-39). Thus the law of Moses was taken out of the way when Jesus died on the cross (Colossians 2:14). When one obeys the teachings of the New Testament, only then can he be forgiven of his sins.
Do you know the New Testament? If not, there is no more urgent thing for you to do than to pick it up, and study it, and do exactly what it says. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls (James 1:21). We remember being under authority in our younger days and doing what was expected of us. We are still under the authority of Jesus (Matthew 28:18), and one day, we will give an account of our lives to him (2 Corinthians 5:10). Being that we know not the day nor the hour, are you ready to meet the Judge who has all authority, even the authority to cast into hell (Luke 12:5)?
Brotherly, Jamie
