How do you react to being “under authority”?
JUNE 29
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Romans 13:1
Our generation doesn’t like the word authority—we don’t want to be under anybody. We stick out our chests and talk about being “free-born Americans.”
If you’re a baby boomer, you’re the first TV generation. For you, TV was a third parent. In your lifetime you’ve gone through the Hula Hoop, Barbie Dolls, pop psychology, Dr. Spock, and the start of rock and roll. You watched Elvis Presley wear his clothes out from the inside. You listened to the Beatles. Much of the music of the 60s had a defiant, anti-authority message. One of Frank Sinatra’s most popular songs was, “I did it my way.” Burger King had a jingle: “Have it your way.”
Authority was “the man.” You were to “resist the man.” Authority figures were ridiculed. Fathers were all Archie Bunkers; preachers were Flip Wilson—to be laughed at. The ideal was “I gotta be me!” “Do your thing.” “If it feels good, do it.”
We don’t realize the vestiges of rebellion that still lurk in our hearts. We don’t want to submit to authority. By nature, I’m the same way. I was looking for a parking place a while back and saw a sign: “Don’t even think about parking here.” I was so full of rebellion, I thought about it.Folks, we all have that in us. We don’t want anybody to be over us. But God does not give kingdom authority to rebels. Give some serious thought to the question: Who is on the throne of my life today?
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