Science fiction author Robert Heinlein said, “No statement should be believed because it is made by an authority.” On the other side of the coin is Robert E. Lee, who said, “Obedience to lawful authority is the foundation of manly character.” These are radically different philosophies from two intelligent men.
The truth is we often believe what we are told by authorities. For example, were any of you in the battles of World War I? If all you did was read about the Great War in history books, does it make the event any less factual because you were not an eyewitness? Certainly, what needs to occur in choosing who to believe is the credibility of the witness. Politicians fall into the category of who not to believe, regardless of your political stance. Look up the word politician in the dictionary and there is a picture of Pinocchio, he of the long nose! Especially in our two-party system, both sides have the propensity to spin a story in order to elevate themselves and their own party. Somewhere along the lines, the good of the people became lost by the wayside.
Part of the problem has to do with the human condition along with the desire to be the authority of our own lives. In that regard, each of us retains the ability to make our own choices, and more importantly, to act on those choices. Yet the heart of the problem is that whether we like it or not, we will answer to a much higher authority than ourselves because of those choices.
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:5-11
Our choice becomes a simple one. We can acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord while we are walking on this earth, or we can choose to wait and make that acknowledgment on Judgment Day. In the verse above, it does not say that most of the knees will bow, but that “every knee should bow.” The next verse highlights the fact that this does not just refer to humanity, but every created being. That would include the heavenly host of angels, as well as the demons under the control of Satan.
Because God created us in His image, we have His Laws written on our hearts. Without studying the 10 Commandments, each of us instinctively knows the difference between right and wrong. Even though we have a tendency to rationalize the reasoning behind our sinful choices, it doesn’t change the sin. In addition to the Laws being written on our hearts, God has given us the Bible so that we might know Him.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16
We only have two directions to go after reading the above verse. Is it true or false? Was Paul a reliable source, an authority worth trusting? Is the Bible a reliable source? Archaeologists have proven without fail that historically, the Bible is accurate. Naysayers continue to assault the Bible’s authenticity, but more proof continues to be discovered. Sadly, even Christians seem to lose sight of the importance of God’s love letter to us all. Some polls have shown that less than 10% of Christians have read the Bible in its entirety. Does this have to do with its length or difficulty to grasp? Or does it have more to do with our laziness? It certainly is much easier to turn on the television than to pick up the Bible after a day of work! But if you believe in God, don’t you truly want to know Him?
St. Augustine said, “If you believe what you like in the Bible, and reject what you do not like, it is not the Bible you believe but yourself!” Every story in the Bible points to God’s attributes. If you don’t believe in God, shouldn’t you read the entire Bible just to make sure you are not wrong? It’s the most important choice of your life!
20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 1:20-21
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