All Authority and Leadership Begins and Ends with Christ

We are almost midway through a new year and while it feels like 2019 just began, much of the nation is getting ready for another political season with elections closing in fast. No, this is not a political article but rather, one of authority and leadership. The bible is clear that a nation needs a set of rules and laws in order to effectively manage the nation and its people but Christ is also clear that leadership is an important aspect to a successful nation.

In fact, leadership is needed for anything we do. Authority is a form of leadership and while thought of as the same, the two are different. Authority is thought of as being the position someone holds while leadership is the character of an individual but for this article, instead of thinking in terms of high positions such as politicians and other leaders, let’s focus solely on authority that with everyday people such as teachers, police officers, preachers, plant supervisors, and parents.

While these roles are not nearly as glamorous or publicized as politicians and other leaders, they are just as significant and more so if a nation is to raise up moral and successful citizens and there is no exception for Christians. For most Christians, authority comes directly from God’s word as it is often said the Bible is the final authority and this comes from 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

It’s been this way from the very beginning and we are told so in John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” We read the same in Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Further, we read in John 1:3 that “The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” Therefore, we can see the God that created time, space and matter as well as creating all things that occupies this time, space and matter is the same God that inspired those to write the word of God.

In other words, there is nothing more powerful than the word of God and there is nothing more authoritative in and over our lives than God’s word and while all Christians should adhere to God’s word and follow it as close as possible, unfortunately, not all do. God’s word is there to set an example of morality and is filled with good examples of how to live for man but is not meant to be taken literally and when people say this to me, I wonder to myself and ask the individual or group of individuals where it says this in scripture?

Honestly, when people say this to me, I have a hard time understanding how they come to such a conclusion but these mindsets exist. While conducting research for this article, I came across poll after poll that showed that fewer and fewer Americans believe that the Bible is the literal word of God but instead, is a book full of fables. When people tell me that they do not believe the Bible to be what it says it is, I am no longer surprised but for Christians who tell me this, I shake my head because they have no real foundation for their lives or their relationship with Jesus Christ. Again, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).

Lost in the struggle is that Christianity is about a relationship with Jesus Christ rather than a set of traditions and God’s word is there to lead and guide us. Genesis 1:4-5 goes on to explain “In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” Right now, at this very moment in time, we are seeing this play out in front of our eyes as fewer and fewer people are unable to comprehend the light that God has shined upon this Earth.

It was clear way back then when Adam and Eve defied God’s instructions, present before the flood destroyed the Earth, and ever-present now. Despite the changes all around, Jesus is the light and in Him is life and He still shines in Darkness. We read from John 8:12 “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Clearly, authority and leadership begins and ends with Christ and if you follow in the steps of Jesus, you must accept that His word is literal and just as importantly, you need to apply His words to your life