It is an honor to have you as a donor member! Share today.
#9 The Exchanged Life Podcast | AuthorityWelcome to the Exchanged Life Podcast. Today, Jonnie T. and Dr. Stephen Phinney explore the world of anti-authority in culture and the church.
A BIBLICAL VIEW OF AUTHORITYWhy is there a global movement to resist governing authority?You must be a firm and immovable Bible believer to answer this question, minimally indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The world as a whole cannot contribute to the answer since the “blind cannot lead the blind.” Traditionally, as noted throughout history, real deal Christians were/are the moral compass to a deceived world. I’m pretty sure this was the original mission of authentic indwelt Christians since the resurrection of Yeshua/Jesus, certainly from the day of Pentecost forward. You know the story, a lost and depraved world needing a Saviour to save themselves from themselves.
Special Addition to The PodcastThe podcast version of this article. Brought to you by X-Changed Life Publishing. Realistically speaking, authorities have lost their punch. The basic thesis of this article is this. The whole of humanity, past, present, and future, are born dead to Christ – born into Satan/sin. Each becomes a child of the “father of lies,” Satan.Satan is the idyllic model of resistance against governing authority – God. This “father of lies” parentally raises all of humanity under his dark cloud of rebellion. Humans, as a whole, thus become children/adults of lies. Unless individuals convert through the invite to indwelt Christianity, they remain slaves to this LIAR. As long as they stay slaves, they remain liars. Liars always join the “father” in resisting governing authority—a clear and present fact. More said on this later. Until then, keep in mind that humanity ultimately determines their fate, either to the place of their father, Satan, Hell, or God the Father, Heaven. In this single rule, no man or demon can resist this particular universal law. Ugly fact: The Intelligence Project identified 576 extreme anti-government groups in 2019. In 2020, before the panic of COVID-19, that number was expected to double—not counting the citizens who are self-proclaimed anti-government. These numbers also do not include the groups that self-represent themselves as advocates, engage in violence or other criminal activities, or are racist. In light of reviewing new statistics since the global pandemic, many sociologists expect those numbers to go exponentially. What happens if anti-government goes global - exponentially?Not meaning to offend any reader, the answer is elementary. If anti-government becomes the norm for global thought, a socialistic platform will remain the only wayward structure. Some of our readers have basic knowledge of the “father of lies” and his Seven Year Tribulation. Yes. The Heavenly Father allows Satan seven years to rule the earth. The first 3 ½ years of his elusive rule will be “peace, peace” (Socialism), while the second 3 ½ years will be mandated obedience (Monarchy). Not to be rude, but it matters not who does or doesn’t believe this Biblical projection. It is the Truth (Mark 24:21). The reason Satan wants the people to “Question Authority” is that it practically eliminates all authorities outside of himself.The “peace, peace” portion of the Tribulation, I believe, will be based on Satan’s illusion of granting the people self-rule – “we the people” ruling from the bottom up. Socialism is the extreme opposite of Monarchy. God’s governance is the original form of what the world references as a Monarchy. The predictability of Satan is predictable. Satan always hangs out at the opposites of God’s governance. The irony, in the second half of his temporary reign, he flips to anti-grace Monarchy (dictatorship), demanding absolute obedience. Why does he bother with 3 ½ - years of Socialism?If you haven’t noticed, Socialism is the most deceptive form of illusive self-rule. As with all countries bound by Socialism, there is ALWAYS a dictator at the top. As history reveals, in due time, these dictators turn on their people – sucking every ounce of life out of each. Once led to the slaughter of the food lines, dependence is secured. Finally, he uses the first half of his reign to rein in his duped followers, which will take about 3 ½ - years to accomplish. The bewildered people become trapped after the second half opens, likened to the “bait & switch” illusion. Let’s review the practical & Biblical elements of governance.While we know the “father of lies” uses these principles to promote himself, God maintains His normal, natural, and neutral rules for engaging the people. The just balance between God’s people and the fulfillment of His governance is essential in maintaining His objectives for mankind. The fundamental principle in the Bible, His governing system, must be viewed as healthy, which is relevant today for His Kingdom Rule. The Bible, which details Christ’s relational model of obedience, activates simple yet compelling results from examining the design of compliance. Scholars consistently discover that relationships in the Old Testament, New Testament, and the Book of Revelation hinge upon one’s obedience to His governance. Most of the Bible's “stories” verify this universal principle. Forgiveness vs. ResistanceResistance is usually viewed as troublemaking, punishing others, or judgment. God considers it sin and to be avoided. “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.” (Romans 13:1-2) Key: " Every person” is required to honor this elementary principle of governance—Christian or not. Our challenge is in the principle of “standing forgiving.” Since non-Christians have no ability or resources to forgive, the Adamic nature of resistance rears its ugly head. When a believer “stands forgiving,” the yoke is light in submitting to unreasonable governors/authorities. “Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.” (1 Peter 2:18) First and foremost, Christians and non-Christians alike hate the idea of being servants. Both twist this mandate into a cultural timeline issue. Whether you use the title people, slaves, servants, or humans, the rule of governance remains. Most readers are blinded to the benefits of adhering to such a perceived ridiculous order. Keep in mind: all fulfilled obedience has a reward. “For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.” (1 Peter 2:19) We live in a culture today where it is trendy to avoid sorrows and suffering. Since unbelievers could care less about having the “favor” of God, resistance rules the day. Standing forgiving is the only practical solution for an individual to bear up under unjust authority figures. Here is our checkpoint. Only indwelt/born-again believers can forgive. Yeshua/Jesus is the only one who can unconditionally forgive and who paid the price for all who offend. Authentic believers have the Life of Christ living from within. Real-time grace is released to the unreasonable when He is released to forgive others. Only then will the servant consider misinterpretation and other factors that might play into the life of the “unreasonable” authority. Key. Forgiveness and resistance are confused if the indwelling factor is not calculated into the formula. Reversing the RolesI always expect unsaved people, as well as fake Christians, to reverse the roles, minimally modify them. When a servant is offended by an “unreasonable” authority, they’re quick to act as the authority over the God-established governor. This act of role-reversal offends God - whoever resists authority has opposed God's ordinance (governance). Again, unsaved people are careless about offending God. On the other hand, why do authentic believers purposely advance resistance? The answer is that the flesh will not be told what to do – not even from God. “…and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties…” (2 Peter 2:10) Consider our passage. If these fleshly people do not tremble when reviled by God’s angels, what makes us think they will allow mere humans to address vile rebellion? The only solution to this paralyzing idiocy is consistently walking in the Spirit, which requires being indwelt by the Spirit. Regretfully, few have learned the honor that comes with adherence to governance. Church statistics prove that more and more “Christians” are joining the “bandwagon” of protestors, claiming rights that Yeshua/Jesus never gave them. While these “believers” are running around with picket signs, they’re devoid of the reality of stripping Yeshua of His right to love the unreasonable. Obeying in the flesh is just as important as obeying in the Spirit. Just because the Spirit does not indwell someone, they are not excused from obedience.The universal law of governance applies to the saved and the unsaved. Without implementing this principle, chaos and disorder rule the day. It is much like the laws of physics. Every object in uniform motion will remain in that state unless an external force acts on it. These laws apply to everyone. Fools can deny, refute, or even resist these rules, but, in the end, the uniform motion of God will not be affected by such reenvisioned stupidity. As God so graciously put it, He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Universal laws are the Laws of God. He created them. God is a Father. He is our parent. Parenting consists of setting laws, standards, and boundaries for children so that they can learn to maintain order in themselves, the Church, and the nations they live in. He doesn’t wait until an individual becomes born-again. Just as an earthly parent does NOT avoid governance until their child receives Christ, nor should we change the rules of governance for the masses who resist being told what to do. Go ahead and teach your children to question authority. Let’s see how they turn out. Oh, wait. That is precisely what generation X propagated to their Millennial children. Now, look at the mess we created. Your child is in the middle of a street, and you see a truck coming, do you appeal to them? No. You obligate them to adhere to your voice, immediately obey, and get out of the street. Your motive? To save them. In our culture today, our children and grandchildren are playing in the streets of Satanic illusions. We see God’s bloodthirsty enemy racing towards them. What do most authority figures within the church do? They either wash their hands of the matter or join the child in the street. Both result in death. Questioning authority is not the right approach. Appealing to them is. There is nothing wrong with a subordinate appealing to an authority for clarification or contributing a suggestion. I never tell them what to do in my communications with powerful leaders. On the other hand, I am rather gifted at providing them with powerful suggestions. I have watched how several of my suggestions end up in a speech or communication. The art of appealing is powerful. If you want real change, this is the way to go. One of my favorite historical leaders, John F. Kennedy, stated, “Our privileges can be no greater than our obligations. The protection of our rights can endure no longer than the performance of our responsibility.” Every subordinate has the due responsibility to inform, appeal, and empower their leaders with suggestions that make them greater still. Our challenge arises when observations or suggestions threaten our leaders. In those cases, submission becomes our most powerful ally. Welcome to the Exchanged Life Podcast, a refreshing redemption of hope and transformation in today's fast-paced world. Hosted by Dr. Stephen Phinney and Jonnie T, this podcast delves deep into the profound concept of the "exchanged life," offering listeners a journey toward spiritual renewal and personal growth. Visit our podcast today, HERE.Download our Podcast App
We want to extend our eternal gratitude to each of you for taking the time to read our publications and engage with our posts. Your support and interest mean the world to us, and it motivates us to continue creating content that resonates with you. Thank you for being a part of our community and for your valuable feedback and encouragement. We look forward to sharing more with you and growing together in this journey. Until next time…
|
Posts
