Meditations on Authority...

01/16/08

They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority.

(Luke 4:32)

What is that gives authority in a teaching?

It is clarity,

It is power,

It is Jesus Himself, His presence alone,

It is the power of His Word given by His Spirit, using flesh and sounds as mere instruments,

Able to penetrate in the soul and heart, as the understanding and the will of man are unveiled and unchained,

Able to command everything under His command

 

That is authority, given only by the One who holds all of it.  Given only for a purpose: Kingdom business, the revelation of the True God and His will to be fulfilled in earth, by men, through obedience, and for His glory alone. 

 

It is not given to glorify the recipient or to fulfill the recipient’s will; it is not given to create big shows or to amuse the curiosity of the ones who are looking for Jesus just for that, big miracles.

 

Often it is received in weakness and desperation… not for much prayer but for true prayer… fervent prayer, desperate prayer, even if it is expressed just with one word… ‘mercy’, ‘help’, ‘healing’, ‘freedom’...

 

Authority is not given to the big and powerful but to the meek and humble; it is not given by merits but by brokenness; it is not given to those who increase but those who decrease, those who give up their hearts to God but don’t give up on God… those who surrender all to One.

 

Authority is not given to the ones who speak much but those who listen much. Not to those who fill their days with words and crowds; with needs and service; but to those who fill their lives with quietness and compassion.  There is a balance to learn; it is the balance of prayer that speaks and listens; the balance of obedience that goes, stops, and waits because is driven by God not by man; even when that man has good intentions and great ideas.

 

There is no efficient authority in unbalanced lives because true authority does not lean in anything but God’s commands, character and desires; and God exists in perfect balance.  We must learn to overcome in Him our lack of balance; our own desires disguised as God’s desires.  We can do that – as Dr. Ed Young says – practicing and dominating the disciplines of solitude as well as the disciplines of engagement.  Solitude as quietness, prayer, fasting… engagement as study, fellowship, service.  Solitude first, engagement second; solitude to stop, engagement to start; solitude to rest, engagement to act.

 

The Giver of authority does not look or care for riches, intelligence, position or fame; He cares for a heart that is righteous - sold out to Him - because it is of this kind, the heart that will be able to stand the riches, the power and the fame of this world.  All others will stumble and fall, but the righteous will survive those riches and those other dangers in the Name of the Lord.

 

As furnace is prior to the pure gold, character is prior to authority.  It prepares and purifies the heart; it develops perseverance.  Whenever we find authority from God in the words of a man we are to acknowledge we have found God’s work.  Only God deserves all the glory and honor, and the vessel deserves our respect and consideration.  Listen carefully, consider the call, and discern the message.