Authority (Part 5)

The Bible establishes the structure of authority for those who work either as employees or as employers. An employer is one who is the master, boss, or one in charge of workers.  An employee is a worker who is hired and has the responsibility of doing a certain job.

The Bible teaches in Epehsians 6:5-8:

"Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ: Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart: With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free."

The work of a servant or employee is to be done as unto the Lord because God is the source of all power.  Instructions are also given to masters or employers. The structure of one in authority under authority is again clearly reflected in this passage:

Verse 9 "And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening:  knowing that your Master also is in Heaven, neither is there respect of persons with Him." 

Employers are to treat their servants fairly, even as they are treated fairly by God from whom they derive their power.
 
 According to Matthew 20:25-28 the power structure of the world is not that of the Kingdom of God.  But even though we are believers and part of God's Kingdom, at the present time we still live in the world.  Each one of us live in a town or city which is part of a larger county, state, and country.  Each of us live under local and national government and there are laws and government leaders in authority over us. 

You previously learned that the Bible teaches God is the source of all power.  Romans 13 explains how this relates to governmental authorities. 

Verse 1 teaches that God is the source of all power and you are to be subject to these powers.

Verse 2 indicates that when you rebel against these powers, you are in reality rebelling against God.

Verses 3-4 explain that government leaders are a terror to you only when you disobey them. They are actually compared to ministers of God.

God brings government leaders to power and can dethrone them at will:

Daniel 2:21 "And He changeth the times and the seasons:  He removeth kings, and setteth up kings:  He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding."

Daniel 4:17 "...that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over the basest of men."

Daniel tells the story of a King Nebuchadnezzar who did not recognize the source of his earthly power until God taught him:

Daniel 5:20, 21 "But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his  kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will."
 
 God sent a prophet to King Amaziah to instruct him when he was planning to go to battle:

2 Chronicles 25:7, 8 "But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the Lord is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim. But if thou wilt go, do it; be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down."
 These verses clearly illustrate that God sets up government leadership.  He is at work even in the battles of this world, raising up one, casting down another.  Unfortunately, just as authority structures are sometimes abused in the home and church, they are also abused in government.  Wicked and ruthless leaders have seized power in many nations.  They refuse to acknowledge God as the source of power and cause suffering for believers.  When any government or regulation contradicts that which is taught in God's Word, then you must obey God rather than man.  When the Disciples were told they could not preach in the name of Jesus in Acts 5:29:

"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."

They realized that this request was contrary to the commandment of Jesus which told them to preach the Gospel in all the world.   In other areas you are to. . .

Romans 13:5-7 "...be subject, not only for wrath, but also  for conscience sake. For this cause pay ye tribute also; for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues; tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to  whom  custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor." 

Because of their great responsibilities and the potential for their abuse of power, you are to pray:  

1 Timothy 2:2 "For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."

God is the source of all power in the natural and spiritual worlds.  All power is delegated from Him.  He delegated this power to establish structure in the home, Church, marketplace, community, and nation.  But there will come a time in the future when all delegated powers again become His power: 

1 Corinthians 15:24 "Then cometh the end, when He (Jesus) shall  have delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father:  when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power."

Verse 28 "And when all things shall be subdued unto Him (Jesus), then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him  (God) that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all."