It seems like we just can't trust anybody anymore. Politicians make unethical and immoral decisions. Preachers do the very thing they preach against. Our parents fight and sometimes split-up. Look, even some of the guys who were in charge in the Bible made a mess of things. So, the first problem with authority is a problem with them. The man, the big cheese, the head honcho, the system, the world.
The second problem with authority is in our heads. That's right your head and my head. It's the problem of submission to authority. We like to think we know best. We think our teachers and our parents are out of touch with the way things are today. We decide when we will obey and when we will not. P-R-I-D-E(Prov. 13:10, Obad. 1:3, Rom. 1:30), which is a sin, by the way (Pr. 21:4).
The third problem with authority is on the sides of our heads. We like to have our itching ears tickled (2 Tim. 4:3). In other words, we tend to believe those who agree with us. We surround ourselves with people who validate our opinion and thereby remove any possibility that we will be challenged (and any possibility that we will grow).
These are the problems with authority.
We also have a problem with truth. I mean, truth seems so harsh. We don't want to tell people how they should live their lives, or that what they are doing is wrong. We want to be reasonable and understanding, rather than appear intolerant and bull-headed. It's really hard to tell people that without Jesus, they will spend eternity in hell. OUCH!
Another problem with truth is that there is so much variety of opinion. I mean, how can all of these other people who don't believe in God be wrong? Buddhists, Mormons, and Muslims all believe that they are seeking after God , right? How can we be sure that our way is the right way?
Then there is the problem with you, and me, and every other Christian. We say that the Bible has the answer, but then we live our lives the way we want to. I have no problem hearing that Jesus saved me from sin, but I would rather not live out the part where he saves me from sinning. I actually kind of like some of my pet sins – don't you? I mean, how many times have you said, "I know the Bible says, _______, but…". But, can we really have it both ways?
Jesus said in his "High-priestly prayer", "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth." (John 17:17) Sanctify is the process of growing in holiness. It is the process becoming more like Jesus. Jesus is asking God to grow us spiritually in his word. Then he says that God's word is truth. He doesn't say God's word contains truth, or that God's word is like truth, or even God's word is sometimes truth. He says God's word is truth.
So, here are the answers to the problems: 1) Authority – God's word must have authority over the life of every believer. It is totally reliable, infallible, consistent, and trustworthy. Men may let you down, but the word of God never will. 2) Truth – God's word is truth. It is true for all people in all cultures during every age. It can be believed because it is internally consistent and has survived intact for thousands of years. There is no other holy book like God's word. 3) Us – This one is a little trickier since it involves people who have choice. You have to decide that God's word is going to be your ultimate authority in all matters. Science doesn't have authority over it, nor do your friends have authority over it. Not even your parents, your pastor, or your teachers have authority over it. It will never let you down and it has the answer to every problem you face.
Now, who do you trust to give you the answers to life? You have to make a choice. Either you will begin to look to God's word for direction and live by it, or you must reject it all-together. Stop sitting on the fences and decide what you are going to do (Joshua 24:15).
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