Those in power over us today are not inept. They are not unable. Todays’ office holders with great authority are, however, abusing their power on purpose. Presidents, Popes and public servants are drunk with a vision to fundamentally change American governance, religious liberty, and civic virtue. They lie to us, making us believe that they are – what we are, that they see it – how we see it, and that they want – what we want. In reality, they are brilliantly, albeit deceptively, taking advantage of our own trusting natures and assuming minds. Bad authority is here, is self-seeking, evil, and exactly what we deserve. But what do we do about it now?
No one in authority is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes, has a bad day, or decides to act on bad information. This does not excuse those wielding authority from the consequences of being in error, but it does not necessarily disqualify them either. On the whole, being in authority is difficult. Authority is needed, should be respected, and yes, even obeyed. Persons in authority may function better when liked, but popularity may cloud their leadership as well. Authority figures may not be good leaders at all, and they may be very difficult to either like or follow, but society usually does better under the default of “obey those in authority over you.” Of course, the assumption that authority is worthy of its office, cares about its constituents, and is functioning under the law itself greatly helps the average man to walk in line. Recently, those assumptions have been proven wrong.
Civil disobedience is being called for. Martial law is feared. Revolution is in the air. What to do?
A sound primer on authority is first needed:
- Authority comes from God.
*American founders recognized this. They wanted men of high moral quality. If current authority has gone bad, we should blame ourselves not God. We have rejected His best for our own alternative. Our perceptions of good and evil are clouding our own judgment. Mr. President, humble yourself and recognize where your power is derived.
Isaiah 5:20 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
- Authority is meant for good and must serve God.
*Good authority can take its ques from the example of the good Shepherd Himself, but, alas, most only feign friendship with the beloved Jesus. They use his name to abuse us. They would do well to see themselves as temporary shepherds not absolute masters. Mr. President, you are on the wrong side, serving the wrong things.
- Authority should be respected and obeyed as a general rule.
*Pay your taxes. Speak no evil of authority. Have the right attitude of obedience. Sometimes you just have to endure. Sacrifice and suffering are sometimes called for but never unseen by God. Mr. President, you have abused our good will. We are about done with you. We will not disobey God in order to comply with you.
I Peter 2:20 “For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.”
- When authority is bad it should be removed.
*Failure, political solutions, or violent overthrows to bring about change have abundant examples even in America. God will see to necessary change, and he may use men to do it. Do not fear to speak this truth or seek such changes. Standing up to bad authority is sometimes necessary and will take courage. Mr. President, cede power or be shamed.
- Authority will serve its purpose.
*Americans have set the people as the power. If the people are bad, then they get what they deserve. Our authorities, more than any other country reflect ourselves. Perhaps the current bad authority will serve a purpose to bring us to a renewed identity. Mr. President, God will hear our cries.
Proverbs 29:2 “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”
- Authority’s end will be equally as bad as its abuses during its day in power.
*A prophetic resolution is possible. Martial and political responses are not the only alternatives. When the prophets speak to power with absolute truth, regime change usually follows. Elijah proclaimed to King Ahab warnings and consequences, and God backed up His word. For hundreds of millions in America, this is a viable path. Mr. President, beware your deceptions. Do not call your lies, your perceptions. There will be a judgement day.
I Corinthians 15:24 “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.”
- Authority can learn. Even bad authority can repent.
*In America’s case the people must repent. Call abortion murder, not a right. Call gay marriage sin, not a right. If everything is a right then nothing is a right. We are undermining God given rights by demanding government given rights. Is this repentance possible for Barak Hussein Obama? Well, let’s see. Mr. President, repent.
I Timothy 2:1-2 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
Next, Americans should recognize what good leadership is and what it looks like when in authority. Leadership and authority are not necessarily the same thing. When they find the same space in the same person it can lead to change, but even then we will still have the qualities of good or evil to consider. When leadership and authority collide there is a great capacity for good and an equally great capacity for evil. A rapid rise in favor is as possible as a rapid and catastrophic failure. Today’s bad authority is purposely crashing the plane. We must not call it ineptness, or an inability to right the plane. It is not their goal. They are doing exactly what they imagine to do. We must imagine regime change.
Removing one bad authority in order to replace it with another one is not the goal of regime change. An election is a compromise if that is all it does. Violent overthrow certainly is not the answer if we do not recognize what good authority is and have no one ready to fill the gap. National repentance and the clarion voice of a prophet are in order today. The change we need is one that only a call to heaven can bring. If we believe prayer is not enough than it will not be enough. Heaven help us.
