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What Must I Do To Be Saved?

  

"Ability Does Not Mean Authority"

Jarrod Jacobs

Authority is something that is needed in every walk of life. When we talk about certain people having the "right" to do this or that, we are saying that they have the authority to do it.

In the Scriptures, God has authorized us to do certain things. If God has not given us authority, then we cannot do it! In Colossians 3:17, the Bible says, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." This passage declares that whatever we do or say, must be done "in the name of" Jesus Christ. This phrase means to do all things by the authority of, or literally, in connection with the reputation of Christ. This can be made clear in light of other passages in the Bible.

Before Jesus ascended back to His Father, He said, "All power (authority -ASV, NKJV) is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matthew 28:18). Therefore, how much authority does that leave for you? For me? For anyone? Of course, there is none left for a mere man! Whatever we do or say must come as a direct result of what our Lord Jesus Christ has revealed in His word. "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (I Peter 4:11).

Now that this is settled in our minds, we can discuss the subject at hand. Namely, that just because we have the ability to do something does not mean that we have authority to do it. I am afraid that many today think that just because they have the ability to do something, that God will accept it. This is simply not true! For example, just because the family car registers 85 mph on the speedometer does not mean that we can go that fast when driving. If we attempt such a thing, we will be pulled over and cited for breaking the law. Similarly, when we act in such a way that is not authorized by God, we sin (I John 3:4). Unfortunately, many do not realize this.

Let us understand that God does not have to say, "Thou shalt not" for an act to be unauthorized. If God is silent on a subject, then this means we cannot act. Consider Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-2). They were put to death on the spot because they acted when God was silent, and offered "strange fire" to God. Jesus, while upon this earth, could not have been a priest. Why? Because Jesus was born of the tribe of Judah, "of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood" (Hebrews 7:14).

Therefore, in my religious, social, governmental, family, and business relationships, I must make sure I am acting according to the authority of God and not according to my own opinions. "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14:12). Jeremiah said, "O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23).

Friend, how will you respond to this? Do you realize that ability does not mean authority? Why not test the things that you are doing by comparing them with Scripture (I Thessalonians 5:21)? Not just most things, or some things, but ALL things! Seeing that God has "given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness" in His word (II Peter 1:3), we can know that if we are doing something that is not authorized by Scripture, then it is not profitable! Regardless of my feelings, and whether or not I think some are "honest," or "sincere," etc., if I do not have the authority to act or speak, then I must not do it!

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