The Devotional – 1101 – Foot Steps in Second Corinthians, On Going

The Devotional – 1101 – Foot Steps in Second Corinthians, On Going

Authority should be recognized early in life with love and respect, with proper awe and as a guide to obedience. Respect, awe and obedience are not traits of character, these are learned attributes that loving parental authority should apply to the developing character of their children. Now this is a serious subject; a subject that is rejected in these times in which we live. All media these days force actions of liberal thinking that guide people (young and old) to believe that there is only one authority to fear (love). This authority is the reigning government of the land in which that person lives. As I thought about this, this morning I felt as if I were opening up a box that had been stored in the attic with no labels. (Wild, I know!) The abuse of authority is so tragic in every avenue of life that it is turning the world in which we live into confusion and disorder. I suppose this subject is not popular with many and therein thrives the critical problem!

CHALLENGES & COMMENTS – 2 Corinthians 10:7-11

The apostle Paul says that we are not to look at things according to the outward appearances, by the way do you look at authority as something to fear or something to respect? The outward appearance of the police or military uniform can be a cause a presentiment (false feeling of fear) in our mind. This most always will lead us to wrong conclusions if this sort of thinking is allowed to rule our thoughts.

From the world’s point of view, respect and awe for God is very low these days; why is that? The reasons are as plentiful as grapes on a mature grapevine that is properly care for, of course these would be “sour grapes” since the grapes that are to glorify God cannot produce anything from the branches that are (by the dozens) being tossed into the fire and burned because of the many who are liberal in their approach to the authority of God’s Word and the authority of church leaders.

See Ezekiel 18:1-3 Children and young people today bear the iniquity of their fathers and as a result there is no respect for the Authority of God and the authority of church leadership; Lamentations 5:7 also helps to shed light on this. Parental authority and the authority of church leaders (of course, not all) have failed to bear the fruit that glorifies the Authority of God, John 15:1-17.

Clearly we should take the time to see in our section this morning the apostles concern. Respect for authority is a dual respect. On one hand we must have respect for who we are in Christ and on the other have respect for who those in authority are in Christ. Whether authority is absent or present that we are all present in the sight of God who judges the fruit we bear by the same principle we judge others – Matthew 7:1-6.

Dogs could care about holiness if they were able to understand, but most dogs know enough that you are sanctified and not food. But the pig! The pig is really a dangerous animal and views everything as food. Should you doubt this, just lay down in the pigsty the pig will eat you alive so be careful to whom you cast your pearls at. Better to be like the merchant seeking beautiful pearls for the kingdom of heaven is such, Matthew 13:45-46.