Authentic Faith - Week 4, Day 3

Day 3: Chains of Command (Your God-Given Authority)

A police officer stopped a teenage girl who insisted she had been driving the speed limit and told him he was crazy if he thought he was going to give her a ticket. When she refused to show her driver's license, the officer arrested her and took her to jail. "You don't know who you're messing with. My dad will come down here and buy this county if you don't let me go!" the girl shouted.

Her dad did come and bail her out. Just like she predicted, he threatened to bring an army of lawyers to their "puny little court." Nevertheless, a court date was set, and the defiant father and daughter went back home. The student pastor from their church found out about the incident and explained to them that they were opposing an authority (the government) that had been established by God.

On the day of the court hearing, the girl was asked if she had anything to say before the proceedings began. She apologized to everyone in the court. She also asked the officer for forgiveness, explaining that she was a Christian and shouldn't have acted the way she did. She ended, "I realize now that you are a God-given authority over me, and I should have respected and obeyed you. I'm sorry." The judge found her guilty but fined her only $1!

The best Bible passage to explain this truth – and likely one that the student pastor used – is found in Romans 13:1-7. Read those verses now.

What begins as a struggle with authority as a young person often becomes a more serious problem as an adult. No matter how rich or powerful one becomes, authority must always be respected.

Time Out:

1. Is there any area of your life where you are defying authority? In your family? Your school? Your job? Your church? Sports?

2. Are you ever disrespectful to those in authority?

3. If God shows you an area where you are going against Him by rebelling against authority, then ask Him for forgiveness as well as the person, if that is possible. Pray for God to convict you when you defy His authority through others. Learn to show respect and honor to those above you.