Authority. What does it mean? It does not mean rank, wealth, or even power. Often people are in positions of power who have no spiritual attributes that entitle
them to respect. But what does authority mean? It means a spiritual right to command. It
mean something that compels reverence and exacts obedience as a tribute. It means one of
the rarest things on this Earth, for it means a high and commanding spirit. This authority
can be abused, and a great part of the history of the human race has been the effort of
mankind to throw off the tyranny of an authority which could no longer command its respect
and obedience. We have seen this recently in the Balkans and East Timor. So what is the highest authority? All through its history mankind has believed in an
invisible power. We have felt that we do not see with our eyes all there is to be seen,
and that in the midst of the visible world there is an invisible Spirit shaping all things
to some glorious and wonderful end. As we have grown in knowledge and wisdom we have
decided that everything we see with our eyes or imagine with our mind, is but a shadow of
something infinitely greater, infinitely more beautiful, infinitely more lasting - so
lasting as to be eternal. And we have called this supreme and eternal excellence by the
name of God. Wise people will try to discover what God wishes them to do. But we are free to do what
we like. We may take the trouble to improve our mind, or we may choose to live in
ignorance. We may be sober and industrious, or drunken and lazy. We may be truthful or a
liar. We may wish to be kind or cruel. God has decided that we ourselves shall choose. That searching question has bought Conscience to the forefront of human life.
Conscience can never approve of anything bad. Conscience can never tell a person to do
what is wrong, or to think what is unpleasant. Conscience is always on the side of excellence. That is the final arbiter of life - the
authority of Conscience, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, seeking to make right, reason,
and the will of God prevail. Over the entire human race, working out its destiny on this
Earth, there is only one supreme Master, one final Authority. And the Authority above us
all is the Fatherhood of God. Whatever we do in this life let us remember that final authority - the Holy Spirit. Let
us not do things for our own ends but serve others in a spirit of love and humility. The
needy can at times represent an inconvenience but Jesus said to his followers, "'I
tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you
did for me' (Matthew 25:40). The unsaved too need our friendship and our commitment of time as the
Holy Spirit uses us to bring them into the kingdom. ‘Then Jesus came to them and
said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and
make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely
I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20). Have a good week. Pastor Ron. Optional Bible reading: John 17:1-26 Pastor Ron Clarke JP (Mark 16:15) An e-mail from the Derwent Valley, near Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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