One Authority

Every parent has had this conversation with their child.  “Do not cross the street unless there is an adult with you.”  “Okay.”  At some time the child crosses the street without an adult.  “Did you know you weren’t supposed to cross the street unless an adult was with you?”  “Yes.”  The child knows the rule, but does it anyway.  Most likely they don't answer yes or no, they make up an excuse or justification for their action.

The problem we have with anyone who is in sin or who believes a particular sin is okay is not in the sin itself, but in that person who knows it is sin.  If a Christian believes that an action, although clearly written as a sin in Scripture, is not a sin then the problem is one of authority.  They believe their authority is greater than God’s authority.  This creates a problem between believers.  If a non-believer refuses to believe an action is a sin, then that is their prerogative because they do not believe, so there is no other authority except their own.  I like the way Francis Chan put it, “I choose to believe what the Eternal One says, not the 47 year old.”  It sounds crazy when it is put so simply. 

My experience is that if you ask a Christian if they believe in Jesus they will answer “yes”.  But if you ask them if a sin in their life that they enjoy is a sin they are hesitant to confess it.  Even if you point to the text and ask about it.  A sensitive heart to God’s Spirit will respond to such conviction; a hardened heart will only be angered against you.  You are seen to be a provoking authority, but actually you are only a road sign, or even better a thermostat. 

Dr. David Jeremiah comments upon how we should be thermostats and not thermometers.  We don’t sense the temperature of the world around us and move to it like a thermometer.  We maintain the temperature of the world around us, like a thermostat, because we are set by a higher authority.

Christians know what the Bible says.  They know what sin is.  It’s just, is it what the Bible says, is it what society tells me it is, or is it what I want it to be?  We are accountable for our knowledge, even if we choose to redefine it to be what we want it to be.  Why do we constantly want to redefine the eternal wisdom and authority of God?  Do I really believe I know more than the Creator of man what will make me more fulfilled?  Really?  Isn’t that an absurd idea?

The issue for any person is one of the heart.  Do you have faith?  Do you really believe?  If so, you won’t have a problem with someone showing you a sin in your life.  You might not like it, but you’ll be thankful for it.