We read this from the Apostle Paul:
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:1-2, NIV)
The desire for authority is sinful. It’s human nature, but it’s not of God.
Let’s revisit our “Let’s go Brandon” caller. Not only was the appetite for power in force, but equally was the desire to be the authority, not be under authority. As a believer, respect for our authority is part of our calling. This is taught throughout Scripture.
Christians are not called, in any way, to desire authority. And don’t give me any “righteous anger” and “Jesus turned over tables” arguments. We both know that doesn’t apply lest we take everything fully out of context.
Here is our calling – and it’s painfully clear:
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34, NIV)
The Apostle Paul gave Jesus’ command legs when he commanded the believers in Rome to submit to authorities.
“Every person must obey the leaders of the land. There is no power given but from God, and all leaders are allowed by God. The person who does not obey the leaders of the land is working against what God has done. Anyone who does that will be punished.” (Romans 13:1-2)
Don’t forget that the first-century believers under Roman rule faced actual victimization. They were beaten and arrested. They were crucified.
Under God (and His Power and Authority)
Of course, people have done some absolutely terrible things under the name of religion. This includes Christianity.
But let’s be clear: There is nothing in Scripture that teaches us to behave in sin. Nothing.
We need to decide – as leaders and as citizens – to either fully follow Christ or stop claiming to be a follower of Christ.
The choice is painfully clear:
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. (Matthew 16:24-25, NIV)
Just to be clear, denial of self and “taking up our cross” is a call for Jesus-followers to die to self and, in exchange, live for Christ. In doing so, we find life to the full. In attempting to save our own life (or our country, etc.), we end up losing it all.
