We have been studying authority, (the right or power to act) as it relates to religion,
for
some time. We have, in some detail, been able to explain how authority should be estab-
lished via the commands, examples,
and necessary inferences contained in the Bible. This
week we will enumerate and explain some of the things the religious
authority is not to be
based on.
Subjectivism does not provide a basis
for religious authority. In religion, subjectivism
allows for the authority of human conscience, emotion, feeling and
wisdom to take precedence
over His word. God and man do not think or reason alike (Isa. 55:8-9; cf. 2 Cor. 10:18).
Man's
feelings and conscience are neither safe nor reliable apart from the Scriptures: "There is a way
which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Prov. 14:12; 16:25). "It is not
in man who
walks to direct his own steps."(Jer. 10:23 cf. 1 Cor. 1:18-25). It is man's submission to the Word of God rather
than the diverse concepts of men that makes for the religious unity for
which Christ prayed and Paul wrote (John 17:20-21;
cf. 1 Cor. 1:10). Man's feeling and emotions
can change, but the Lord and His word is unchanging (Heb. 13:8; Gal.
1:8-9; Jude 3). Man's
conscience and feelings can become perverted, seared and vain (Rom. 1:21-22; 1 Tim. 4:2).
Man's
conscience is of value only when it is based on and guided by God's word. Traditions of men
and
past or present practice do not provide a basis for religious authority. Tradition and past or
present practice can
be contrary to the word of God. Jesus, for example, rebuked certain of the
scribes and Pharisees for relying on their
traditions as their basis for authority: "Why do you also
transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?
...Thus you have made the
commandment of God of no effect by your tradition" (Matt. 15:3,6). The apostle Paul
warn-
ed: " Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the
tradition
of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to
Christ" (Colossians 2:8).
The doctrines and commandments of men are not to provide a basis for religious auth-
ority. Jesus said of some: "...in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men" (Matt.
15:9; cf. Col. 2:18-23). Cut and dried right?
Persuasive words of human wisdom are not
to be the basis for religious authority. The
apostle Paul was highly educated and eloquent but did not want the faith
of early Christians to
come from this, or to be based on this ( I Cor. 2:1-5). Man's faith is to come from the word
of
God (Romans 10:17).
The will or thinking of the majority does not provide a
basis for establishing religious
authority. Such varies from country to country and from generation to generation.
In India, the
majority may be Hindu; in Asia: Buddhists; among the Arabs: Muslims; in Utah: Mormons; etc.
Such
diversity forms no basis either for authority or unity. Besides this, the majority is usually
wrong in religious matters.
The majority perished in the flood (Gen. 6 and 7), and according to
Christ the majority will be lost (Matt. 7:13-4;
20:16; 22:14).
This is not an exhaustive list but it should serve to discourage the most common
errors in man's quest to determine God's will.
Bro Eli
For, brothers, you have been called to liberty; only use not liberty for an
occasion
to the flesh, but by love serve one another. Gal 5:13 NKJV
Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live
as servants of God.
I Pet 2:16 NIV
Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays. Today we reflect
on our freedoms
as American citizens. We give thanks for those who perished making sure that we could be-
come
and remain free. Also, there is a lot of great BBQ and I've had my fair share of it, on
July 4th, through the
years.
Let's be clear, this day is about more than BBQ. Freedom cost many
people their
lives. As I reflected on this holiday, I began to think about it from a different perspective. I
think
about it from the perspective of being Christian. After that, I thought of the letter that
the apostle Paul wrote
to the church at Galatia, and the text listed about it in particular.
As
I read this text, and I Pet 2:16, I can't help but reflect on my freedom in Christ.
Jesus promised His followers
that they would know the truth and the truth would make them
free (John 8:32). Christians have, indeed, been freed
from sin (Rom 6:22). On the 4th of
July, many people eat, drink, and socialize with nary a thought to what their freedom
means.
Paul and Peter, among others, wrote very pointedly about the believer's freedom, especially
regarding
what it should mean.
Both apostles wrote that our freedom had limitations.
Peter wrote that our freedom
should not be used as a cover up for evil (or vice, in the KJV). Evil, in the context
that Peter
spoke of, seemed to speak of evil as being against the law. Notice the 13th and 17th verses.
Peter
seems to be telling the church not to use their position, in Christ, to be unlawful. He tells
them to live as God's
servants. Paul agreed that we have been called to liberty, but urged that
we serve one another by (or through) love.
Both apostles seem to agree on the fact that Christ-
ians are freed from sin for the purpose of serving. Taken together,
we are to serve God and man.
How do we use our freedom?
Do we use it to justify some questionable
practices?
Do we use it to avoid worship service or study?
Do we use it to sit down
because after all, we're saved right? Is freedom a
cloak for our leisure? What are we doing with our freedom?
When was the last time that we
served God in some way other than attending Sunday worship? When was the last time
we
did something for someone without expecting anything back because it was simply, "the Christ-
ian thing
to do"? Have we forgotten the command to go forth and make disciples (Matt 28:18ff)?
In
short, what are we doing with that freedom? Please remember that the freedom we
have cost our Lord his life (John 3:16;
I Co 15:1 ff).
Happy 4th!
Bro. Eli
