Back when I was fifteen, I used to referee for
a homeschool flag football league. My job was to make the calls and keep track
of the points. Most of the time, it was easy. But one play stuck with me. The
action was right on the sideline opposite me. I saw the kid step out-of-bounds
as he dashed all the way down the field. Thinking he had scored, the boy danced
triumphantly around the infield. I, however, made the call—he had gone
out-of-bounds. I started to set the ball. The kids immediately began arguing
with my decision. But I was in charge, and I had made my call. Just then, a
“helpful” mom came over and offered me her video camera. Apparently, she had
recorded the alleged touchdown.
She started to play it back and within a few
seconds the dancing kid was cheering. The video evidence confirmed: he had
stayed in bounds. I was less than thrilled. I had made my call. I was the authority
on that field. I wanted to hold my ground. It was my RIGHT to say no. The
problem was that it would have been wrong for me to do so.
A pastor once told me that fixing everything
isn’t my job. He explained that there are certain institutions in life that
have authority over people. The Bible talks about authority in relation
to governments, families, churches, businesses, and friendships.
Each of these have unique applications for what kind of authority they have and
how it can be used.
The government has the authority to punish evil
and reward good. Along with that comes the command authority to make laws and
enforce them on society. Under certain extreme circumstances, a higher
authority may require that we disobey a tyrannical government, but, in general,
we are under the government and we must obey its agents; they have “command
authority” over us.
Authority in the family is a bit different. The
Bible calls on children to obey their parents much as it calls on everyone to
obey government. But, as children grow up, the biblical requirement changes from
obeying their parents to honoring them. Parents move from a role
of “command authority” to a position more like that of an adviser. We respect
them and give special weight to what they say because they have wisdom for us
and because they have known us longer than anyone else. But, in the end, we are
responsible for our own actions. (Within familial authority, there is also
husband-wife authority, but I will not even try to go into that here. This post is already way
too long and even starting on that subject would turn it into a tome.)
Church authority is interesting because an
individual pastor doesn't seem to have much authority at all. It is almost the
opposite from the governing authority. Generally a church doesn't have command
authority, but there are exceptions. Church authority comes into play when faced
with a need to confront ongoing sin and (sometimes) to excommunicate people
from the church. The rest of the time, however, the authority of a church is
more like the authority of an adult’s parent; it’s primarily a source of wise
council.
Business authority is unique in that it’s based
primarily on contracts. This means that business authority can go from involving
extreme amounts of command authority to involving almost none. Regardless, we are commanded to work hard for
our bosses and that includes submitting to them for as long as they are over us.
In a sense, they own our labor, and we must honor that.
The last area where I see a Biblical grant of authority
is an area that almost never comes up in this context. It’s the authority that
friends have in our lives. This kind of authority is special because, unlike
the rest, this authority only goes as far as it is given. For example: You can
talk with me about girl problems because I let you. I didn't have to
let you, but I do. This allows you to get serious and ask probing questions that
we are both okay with. Accountability based relationships operate on the same
principle. You give someone authority over part of you. It is all based on trust and relationship. If
one of these isn't strong, then there isn't real authority there.
Matthew 18 explains that we can confront a
fellow believer if they have sinned against us, but this isn't permission to
try to fix every Christian we run into. It also isn't permission to call out
every problem. In fact, I don’t think it’s possible for us to try to fix
everyone we meet without usurping either the authority of friendship or the
authority of the church.
There are many problems that God has placed
within each of our individual spheres of authority; it may be our duty to
engage these issues. But there are also many problems in areas outside of our
spheres, and we must resist the urge to act outside of our authority in our
zeal to right wrongs. Sometimes we need to step back and analyze things so we
can to figure out whether we have proper authority to try to fix a problem.
When I first figured out this concept, it was incredibly
freeing. I realized that the problems God has placed within my authority are
more than enough to keep me busy—I don't need to try to right every wrong.
But turn it around for a second: not only can
you not fix every problem, but not everyone can fix your problems.
For instance, imagine a policeman. He may very
well be a wonderful guy. But you should not go to him for help with leaving a
drug habit. He might be forced to arrest you and you won’t get the mentoring
that you need to deal with the spiritual problems that underpin the issue. That
police officer is doing what God has called him to, but some ministry opportunities
are now closed him.
I hope some of this is somewhat helpful. I like
to paraphrase Lewis who said that he wrote to help people understand. If it
helps, great! If not, discard it. I will not be offended.
Post by Jeremiah Lorrig
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