Christian Blogs, Discipleship Encouragement and Correction
Of Authority and Men’s Consciences
“Nothing in the world has authority over men’s consciences but the Word of God, and that has authority.” Jeremiah Burroughs, ‘Gospel Fear.’
This even extends to the laws of men, who wrote the law under His authority and He called all men to obey unless the laws of men are in variance to the law of God. However, while it is true that men are less apt to violate the laws of men if the laws are valued and upheld, they are slow to obey the laws of God because they believe He is slow to act. What they do not realize is that when God does act, His judgment is eternal and the day of mercy are likely passed.
And…
Regarding authority, I have thought the last couple of days what we are told about Jesus when he taught within the synagogues and on the hill sides: men observed that He did so with authority. The reason that astonished me was that it wasn’t as if the high priest, Sadducees, Pharisees and scribes didn’t teach but it seems in contrast to what was observed of Jesus, they did so without authority. What was it they lacked? Sincerity? Conviction? Humility? What was it that men observed of Christ when He taught?
I have no doubt He first spoke as the Son of God; even as He was God. He knew the law and the words of the prophets as no other for He was the Author and the ancient of days. I am also convinced that He spoke with conviction and a certainty that was unsettling to those who listened. Some envied him; as Pilate observed of those who accused Him. Others, they found His words struck the very core of their being.
Moreover, other than the times that He confronted the Pharisees as hypocrites, I have no doubt that He spoke softly… assuredly… kindly… to those who followed Him and those whom He ministered. Why? Because, “A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.” (Isaiah 42:3) I would imagine too if I sat at His feet; even as I do now, I could hardly say a word (which is very difficult for me; ask those who know me) hearing the sweetness of His speech and the profound wisdom in what He said as it applied to the immediate need of those in the audience.
