What Is Authority?

A politically well informed reader writes:

“Jeff Sessions quoted Romans 13.1 as justification to take kids from parents at the border. White House said it was good to quote the Bible this way. They should have read a few more lines...  Think about a powerful blog citing Romans 13.10 about loving your neighbor.  Distorting the messages from the Bible as public policy is dreadful.” 

Point well taken!  

I will qualify this short blog by saying that I am not addressing the actual issue, problem, in Romans 13. That is Roman authority that often went agains God's will.  Paul is addressing the Christians in Rome who must exist under Roman rule.  That is an entirely different point to be discussed another time. 

Suffice to say, I wonder what our government leader would do with Romans 12?

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.(Rom. 12)

Or what about how Paul writes it in Ephesians 5?

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But fornication and impurity of any kind, or greed, must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving. 5 Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be associated with them. 8 For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— 9 for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. 10 Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly;…(Eph. 5)

When Paul is talking about “authority” the human mind must always use great caution.  

Caution because: the Greek is very clear on this issue.  The word is ‘exousia’ meaning “Right power.”  “… an action, that is proper to God alone as the source of all power and legality.”   

Caution because: “authority can be (and often is) illusory.” 

Caution because: we are told that all authority on earth, and in heaven, is from God.  

The authority Paul speaks of is that which is instituted by God’s will!  Not the human will!  To select out one verse, of Pauls entire letter to the Romans, rapes proper interpretation of authority. 

Proper authority is deciding, and taking actions, that aligns with God’s will — as Jesus came to teach it.  It would be interesting to  research whether Mr. Sessions has ever attempted to quote Jesus.  His argument wouldn’t get past home base with Jesus.  Who, by the way, taught the way of humility over mis-use of power.  

Jesus was clear from the very beginning of his ministry.  Love come first in everything and all we do, speak, act and think.  All decisions are to be based on the welfare of others.  

It might be interesting to see what our political leaders would do with the greatest love story ever told.  You can all find it in the Gospel of John chapter 13.  

Humility is the proper authority!