Paternal Authority

This subject has been one of particular importance to me over the years, as I was raised in an intensely patriarchal system, with my father believing himself to be the supreme authority over both his children and wife.

With this authority, my father would be quick to say that the ultimate authority is God. This sounds well except what he really taught is that anytime a child goes against the father, whether in deed, word, or faith, such "rebellion" is equally against God, as God placed him in charge. That, whatever age, outside of marriage (where authority is transferred to the husband), the "child" should be answerable to the father.

But to what extent is such authority Biblical? Is the child, once grown, still required to remain under this authority? As a Christian, am I answerable to both God and my father, or God alone? Is a woman "more" required than a man to remain under a father's authority? Does "disobedience" include "disagreement"? Should obedience include the stifling of one's individual beliefs and thoughts? Is disobedience to an earthly father equal to that of the heavenly Father?

These are some of the questions I found myself facing several years ago. Not trusting myself or my father, I desperately sought answers from the Bible, pleading with God that the Holy Spirit might show me what the Scriptures actually say, beyond all my preconceived notions. I felt I had to be absolutely sure, because on it hung the answer to life changing decisions I had to make- namely, regarding leaving the home of my family, and thereby the authority of my father.

The Passover

The other day while reading Luke, about the death of Christ, I realized how the "passover" fits in. That on the first day of the passover, Jesus gave Himself to be the final lamb, to be sacrificed for our salvation.

Part of that is obvious. The other part, to me, had remained hidden. I suspect I have the pagan holiday, Easter, to thank for that. While knowing it to be pagan, it was nevertheless a distraction from the real issue.

The first passover was when God redeemed the Israelites, His chosen people, out of the power and land of Pharaoh. God sent ultimate destruction on every aspect of the Egyptians lives, but it was not until blood was shed that Pharaoh lost. (Exodus 12)

God was going to kill the firstborn of every man and beast in Egypt, except those who believed His Word, and killed a lamb, smearing it's blood on the door. The Israelites were saved by the sacrifice - not only their firstborn, but the entire people.

But what is the significance of the firstborn?

The Light

Finding Jesus to be the Word Himself, so many Scriptures suddenly take on a new light.

"A friend that sticketh closer than a brother" becomes tangible- the Words of the Bible, in my head and heart, there to guide, comfort, teach, and keep me. The more I listen to Him by reading His Words, the closer that friendship becomes.

Take this verse, for example- "If ye abide in me, [Bible] and my words abide in you..." By recognizing Him as His Words, the Bible, the key to faith is found.

"Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).

It also goes to show that the Bible is not merely to be read as a book of rules to follow.

As a child, I respected and trusted the Bible as the Truth, but failed to comprehend how vital it was. My mind was clouded with mystical, emotionally-based doctrines which painted God out as a tyrant, exacting a perfection of me that was impossible. Eventually, His words seemed cold, empty, and lifeless. Reading them became a "duty" to perform, necessary if I wanted to "be a good Christian".

Later on, I was hesitant to read the Scriptures for fear I would do them an injustice. It did not seem reverent to make token attempts, whilst bored or distracted. What could I get out of it, after all, when my reading was so often robotic?

And then one day I realized that I was focusing on myself, my weakness, instead of the power of God's Word, and not allowing for the fact that it is the Holy Spirit who is responsible for the work in my heart - not me. And that His work may be far different than I in my limited human thinking can see.

It is impossible for us to understand God's wisdom on our own. It requires that God Himself work those necessary changes in our hearts, giving us the desire to know  Him, and the wisdom to understand His Word. A Book, not only of salvation, but of His-story, science, human nature, things supernatural, and more. Things so unusual and fantastical that most preachers never seem to talk of them.

"But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul." (Deuteronomy 4:29)

"The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple" (Psalm 119:130)

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path". Psalm 119:105 matches John 12:36- "While ye have the light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light"...."I am the way, the truth, and the life".

Reading the Bible doesn't necessarily create some outstanding, short term change, but works a slow, gradually noticeable difference. Subtle, but steady and sure. And then God starts revealing things, and you realize that His Words are really and truly alive.

Most importantly, you begin seeing just how wonderful the Lord God is. His glorious attributes, beyond all human description. Yet also an infinitely gracious and loving Father to His children.

And this, through His Son- the Word, the Truth, and the Light.

"The truth of the Lord endureth forever"

"Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven"

"Thy word is true from the beginning".

Psalm 117:2, 119:89, 119:160

A Mystery

As I continue to read through the Bible, the Holy Spirit is bringing so many things together, like it were a grand puzzle, and He showing me pieces that connect.

The understanding is real, but the ideas so panoramic that I can only touch on portions. Things of faith, not sight, I guess.

One idea - it "dawned" on me so suddenly that I felt I'd discovered a great mystery.

Jesus Christ- in us? As faulty human beings? How is it? Is He invisible, part of our spirit as Christians, with form? How are we "born again"? It doesn't make sense- it's a mystery.

And then... "the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us".

Literally.

The Word - the Lord Jesus Christ

I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. - Psalm 138:2

The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt preserve them from this generation forever.  

- Psalm 12:6-7

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. - John 1:1

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. - John 1:14

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. - 1 John 5:7