Straight Thinking 111967 the Authority of Christ

Straight Thinking

111967

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST

Sunday. Christ is “head over all things to the church.” That’s why the religion he established is called “Christianity.” So the church he founded should exalt its Head in name and claim and deed by yielding to his authority alone. All and only his commands should govern its members and determine its course. (Read Ephesians 1:21-22.)

Monday. When Jesus told a paralytic man his sins were forgiven, the scribes of
Capernaum supposed they had caught Jesus in a clear-cut case of blasphemy, because they reasoned to themselves, “Who can forgive sins but God?” But Jesus demonstrated his authority on earth to forgive sins by giving them all a visible proof; he had the paralytic get up from his mat and carry it away. (Read Mark 2:1-12.)

Tuesday. While Jesus and the disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee, a storm suddenly blew down from the surrounding hills. The apostles cried out for help because these lifelong fishermen knew the deadly peril they were in. All Jesus did was say, “Peace, be still,” and the wind and waves became quiet. “What kind of man is this?” This was the God-man Jesus that has authority over the universe he created. (Read Matthew 8:23-27.)

Wednesday. God’s angels are powerful beings of the spiritual world that have served his grand purposes since before the world began. But the writer of Hebrews points out that Jesus “has inherited a more excellent name than they.” Christ himself said that he had authority over even the angels, and could call more than six thousand of them to protect him from his enemies if he so desired. (Read Hebrews 1:4; Matthew 26:53.)

Thursday. Peter refused Cornelius’ attempt to bow to him in worship when he came to present the gospel to Cornelius’ household. One of the powerful angels in the Book of Revelation also refused to let John bow down to him. But Jesus always accepted people’s worship, and the angels of heaven were themselves commanded to worship him. (Read Acts 11:25-26; Revelation 22:8-9; Hebrews 1:6; Mark 5:6.)

Friday. Each of us will take our turn in front of the judgment bar in heaven. The One we will all stand in front of is the very Christ that in his death for our salvation gave us the perfect example of yielding to authority. (Read 2 Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 26:38-42.)

Saturday. The One the angels worship is worthy of our worship. The One the wind and waves obey is worthy of our obedience. The One that made us and supplies all our needs is worthy of our love. Jesus has authority in heaven and earth, but we must decide to yield to it. (Read Revelation 5:4-5.)

Virgil Warren, Straight, November 19, 1967, p13                                                                            christir.org