Why is authority so important?
Introduction. Our question is a good one, but also a difficult one in that it puts us in a position of trying to look into God's mind to some measure.
Authority or having a "thus saith the Lord" is important. The scriptures are filled with the expression "thus saith the Lord." As a rule, such language emanated from the prophets who were revealing and/or enforcing the will of God. Jeremiah wrote, "Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you...Thus saith the Lord..." (Jere. 10: 1-2). The New Testament is no different. It also requires the recognition of God's authority and what God has said (1 Thes. 5: 21; Gal. 1: 6-10; Eph. 4: 3-6; 2 John 9-11; Jude 3).
Authority is established in three ways. God expressed His will to man by direct command (cf. Acts 2: 38), approved example (cf. Acts 20: 7), and necessary inference (cf. Matt. 22: 32). If our religious beliefs and practices are not authorized by direct command, approved example, or necessary inference, they are unauthorized and constitute lawlessness (Matt. 7: 21-29).
The nature of God. The God of the Bible hates confusion and disorder (1 Cor. 14: 33). While He is a loving God, He is also strict (1 John 4: 8; Rom. 11: 22). God requires our total love (Matt. 22: 37). Involved in man's love of God is the keeping of His commandments (1 John 5: 3). Those who do not recognize God's infinite authority and obey Him do not love God (John 14: 15, 23-24). God also used His commands or authority to test those who serve Him (cf. Gen. 22: 1-2, 12). These are just a few apparent reasons God views authority as important.
Conclusion. The religious world for the most part has abandoned any semblance of respect for the authority of God. Authority and Lordship are virtually the same thing (Luke 6: 46).
Authority or having a "thus saith the Lord" is important. The scriptures are filled with the expression "thus saith the Lord." As a rule, such language emanated from the prophets who were revealing and/or enforcing the will of God. Jeremiah wrote, "Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you...Thus saith the Lord..." (Jere. 10: 1-2). The New Testament is no different. It also requires the recognition of God's authority and what God has said (1 Thes. 5: 21; Gal. 1: 6-10; Eph. 4: 3-6; 2 John 9-11; Jude 3).
Authority is established in three ways. God expressed His will to man by direct command (cf. Acts 2: 38), approved example (cf. Acts 20: 7), and necessary inference (cf. Matt. 22: 32). If our religious beliefs and practices are not authorized by direct command, approved example, or necessary inference, they are unauthorized and constitute lawlessness (Matt. 7: 21-29).
The nature of God. The God of the Bible hates confusion and disorder (1 Cor. 14: 33). While He is a loving God, He is also strict (1 John 4: 8; Rom. 11: 22). God requires our total love (Matt. 22: 37). Involved in man's love of God is the keeping of His commandments (1 John 5: 3). Those who do not recognize God's infinite authority and obey Him do not love God (John 14: 15, 23-24). God also used His commands or authority to test those who serve Him (cf. Gen. 22: 1-2, 12). These are just a few apparent reasons God views authority as important.
Conclusion. The religious world for the most part has abandoned any semblance of respect for the authority of God. Authority and Lordship are virtually the same thing (Luke 6: 46).