Authority

Scripture: Hebrews 13:17

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Observation: I believe that obedience to authority is a unpopular idea these days. I also think that authority is often exercised as little as possible to avoid offending people. Most all of us are given a certain amount of authority, and we will be asked to give an account for our use of that authority.

Application: I should model this behavior to my children and to others. I am blind to my faults, and when somebody points them out to me, I should be thankful to know and see the truth. I need to trust God, that he put those in authority there for a reason, and their actions are going to mold me into who God wants me to be. I should obey those in authority as I would obey Jesus, for he told me to obey.

This also magnifies my responsibility everywhere where I have any authority. (As a father, as a Sunday School teacher for example) How am I exercising that authority? Do I use it in a way that shows I trust God's wisdom over man's wisdom? If I see somebody doing something that is spiritually perilous do I say anything? Too often, I think the tendency is to look the other way, and bite our tongue. I will be held to account for how I shepherd the souls that he is entrusted me to keep watch over. Certainly at least my own children fall into this category.

Prayer: I pray for opportunities to submit joyfully. I pray that my leaders have the courage and wisdom to shepherd me. I pray that I have the wisdom and courage to shepherd my family.