Authority from God (7)

Jesus explained how to distinguish between authority that is from God and that which has been stolen from him.

The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves (Luke 22:25-26).

The rulers of the Gentiles call themselves benefactors, but they “lord it” over them. They use coercion and control. Kingdom authority is totally different. Those who exercise authority in the kingdom must be servants of those they lead. A servant cannot force the person they are serving to do things they do not want to do. A servant cannot control the one they are serving.

The difference is easy to see. Authority from God is always voluntary and produces freedom. There is no coercion or control. Where an authority uses coercion and control, it is not from God.

Most modern political authority is not based on coercion and control. It does not produce freedom, so it cannot be authority from God.

Technorati Tags: Political Authority Romans