Intro: God offers every person the freedom to choose whom he or she will serve while in the world. Christ invites people from different backgrounds, personalities, and commitments, to make him Lord and Master by following his commands of love. So, the most important choice we will make each day is whether we will choose to abide in eternal life or worldly living. We cannot serve two masters (Mat 6:24). So, may we choose wisely.
The world has a sinful inclination to take all that belongs under God’s authority and bring it under the control of self-centered human beings; this is Satan’s handiwork and his purpose is to rob, steal, and destroy humanity’s peaceful relationship with God. Satan tempts people to walk away from the sacred; Christ leads people toward God’s holy heart. Satan lies to human beings in order to get them to reject God’s authority; Christ has been made divine wisdom for those who desire to obey God. Human wisdom will always be outmatched by God’s spiritual wisdom, insight and authority. It does not matter how many people converge against God’s authority, he will always have the last Word—which perfectly accomplishes its purpose (Is 55:11).
Jesus’ closest associate at the beginning of his ministry was John the Baptist—who also found himself on the wrong side of the religious leaders when, based on God’s authority, he called for repentance from sin. Humans do not innately want to accept God’s authority. The tangible world seems so much more real than the spiritual Kingdom, but is it? Both John and Jesus disregarded the world’s power, chose to serve the divine Kingdom, and walked in humility before Father God. Trust and honor God’s authority in your life and you will never be sorry. Have a blessed weekend.
Luke 20:1-8 NLT The Authority of Jesus Challenged
1 One day as Jesus was teaching the people and preaching the Good News in the Temple, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him. 2 They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?”
3 “Let me ask you a question first,” he replied. 4 “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?”
5 They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn’t believe John. 6 But if we say it was merely human, the people will stone us because they are convinced John was a prophet.” 7 So they finally replied that they didn’t know.
8 And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Prayer: Lord, I accept and honor your authoritative and trustworthy Word over my life. Continue to renew my mind and transform me for your glory. Have your way in me and through me in Jesus’ name. Amen.