Discovery – May 2020

Who has the authority to tell anyone what “to do” or what “not to do”? Who has the right to tell you, “You can,” or “You can’t”? Have you ever thought about the fact that real authority only exists if God exists? Why must a 17-year-old, who might be bigger, stronger, faster, and perhaps even smarter than his parents, obey his parents? Why must a 90-year-old U.S citizen pay taxes and obey the President (who might only be 45)? The answer to these and any number of other questions about real authority and power is found in God. If God doesn’t exist, then logically, you can do whatever is right in your own eyes (Judges 21:25). You might do what someone else says because it is to your advantage in a given situation, but it would not be the result of anyone actually having real authority over you—again, if God does not exist. On the other hand, if God does exist, then absolute authority exists. The logical reason for truly obeying someone is rooted and grounded in God and His Word. If God has instructed man regarding “who is to obey whom,” then such rule of law must be followed.