Authority

Ecclesiastes 8

In the first few verses, 1-9 we read what the teacher says about obeying authority.  As Christians we have a few questions dealing with authority, do we have to obey what authority says? Who is our authority? What if authority tells us to do something that is against God or what the Bible says?

As these are questions I know I have asked before as well as have been asked by others, the teacher in Ecclesiastes talks about our roles to authority.

Keep the Kings Command

“Keep the Kings Command,” the teacher says in this section of the Bible. Verse 2 says, “Keep the kings command, because of God’s oath to him.” God has allowed those who are over us for a reason. We need to be careful with our complaints as well as our actions towards those in authority. The reason is God has allowed them there for a reason. When Jesus was walking around on earth in Jerusalem he understood that God allowed Caesar to be in control and God can bring Caesar down from the place of power. Even Paul knew that God is truly in control but places rulers and kings for his purpose. He brings them up and can bring them down (Romans 13:1-2).

Who is your authority? It could be anyone that has authority over you such as parents, law officers, public officials, governors, presidents, teachers, and pastors. Why do we need to be obedient? We need to look at what Paul wrote in Ephesians. Ephesians 6:5-9, we read about slaves and masters and even though we are not slaves as what Paul is talking about, we are under someone’s authority. What he points to in this passage is our attitudes being one of Christ, submissive and obedient. Our hearts, attitude, and respect should glorify Christ. Another question I have been asked is what if the authority asks us to disobey Christ? We need to remember that God is the true authority. Paul was not rebellious towards authority but he knew that he obeyed God over man any day. We know that the apostles were asked by the religious leaders to stop speaking about Christ and they answered that they could not BUT speak what they have seen and heard about Christ. If we are placed in a position to sin and go against God we need to be obedient to God but remember the early church and Paul did not have a rebellious attitude, they were just obedient to God. They did not get a crowd going to go against the king, they did not scream anarchy. They were obedient to God and used that as an opportunity to share Christ. Ask yourself, what is my attitude to all authority? Do I trust that God is in c0ntrol? Do I trust that God has placed them in power for a reason? How can I have an attitude of respect to authority while showing Christ in my life? We need more people that are obedient to Christ and have an attitude of obedience to authority  to a world that strives to rebel against authority. And most important, do you pray for those in authority? Pray that God reveals himself to them, that they would be wise in their leading, which they would desire to please the Lord in all that they do.