The following is a compilation of my paraphrasing portions of the books Hiding From Love by Dr. John Townsend and Spiritual Authority by Watchman Nee.
Also ways that I see to apply what I am learning from these books into my life.
There are different ways that I hide from God's authority.
One style could be called a shoving underneath style. This means that when I find myself disagreeing with someone in authority , rather than go ahead and think about the issue, I try to stop thinking about it. I try to shove it back underneath something else in my brain , because I do not want to disagree with someone in authority. If I disagree with the person I feel that I might be considered inappropriate. If I strongly disagree with the person it might require an action on my part , and it might bring me disapproval.
Another style of hiding could be called soapbox. Rather than acknowledging that I have been injured by an improper use of authority I become passionate about how I see an improper use of authority being used. Instead of taking the time to go back and relive my own unjust woundedness I take on a fight for others that they might not be wounded such as I.
Now I will look at the importance of authority .
Romans 13:1-7
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
Hebrews 1:3
Who being the effulgence of his glory, and the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had made purification of sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Other ref. found in this portion of Watchman Nee's book are Is.14:12-14 , Matt. 6:13, Matt:62-64
In Is. 14: 12-14 The Holy Spirit is prompting the prophet to tell us how Lucifer had a wrong attitude about authority. The phrase "I will be like the Most High," standing by itself would concern me because I thought the whole object of this time on earth was to become like Him, the Most High. After meditating on the entire scripture I see that it was "how" he wanted to become like Him that was wrong. "How" and maybe "why" , however the "how" he wanted to do it is stated clearly. "In his own strength." "I will ascend above the heights," he says. "I will do it," "I will earn my own place of authority," "I have earned my place of authority " rather than accepting authority is placed when and where God chooses.
Some people talk about the principle of authority much like they do when they talk about money. If you do this then you get this. While I have no argument for them , I do not want to do it their way. Is it possible there is another principle , one of this world that you could follow and get your money and the authority you want ? Is it possible that there is yet another way , one that is harder to find but well worth the seeking ?
Finding and accepting God's order and plans seem to be a much better way to me.
One more thought before we leave these segments of the books.
Just as our authority muscle can be wounded thus giving us a warped view of authority, so could our love muscle be wounded.
Since destroying our faith in God's LOVE for us ,is what Satan's number one job seems to be, could it be that he realises accepting God's perfect love also carries with it an authority that he does not want to deal with ?
Jesus tells us that His Father is forgiving and just . Forgiveness means love to me and just means authority. So as I struggle to receive His forgiveness I also should struggle to receive His authority.
Struggle as in , "letting Him heal my wounded love muscle and let Him heal my wounded authority muscle."
God's Throne Established on Authority, is expressed in the phrase found in Heb 1:3 "upholding all things by the word of his power," which means of His Authority.
(to be continued in next blog post.)
Monday, October 26, 2009
Spiritual Authority Introduction
What do I feel when I hear the word "authority ?" Am I calm ? What immediately comes to my mind ?
While reading the book Hiding From Love by Dr.John Townsend I learned that it is possible to have a wounded authority muscle. He was referring to the part of ourselves that house feelings which can initiate our actions. The point of the book is to help a person stop hiding from God's love.
At the same time my soul was awakened to the love and forgiveness of God , it was also awakened to His authority. He had the authority to judge me and condemn me but He chose instead to use His authority to say , "I was pardoned."
I have been working at letting God heal my authority muscle. It has been very injured but I believe all things are possible with God. These very words were spoken about Jesus' observation of how a rich man might enter the kingdom of God. Easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. "All things are possible with God."
Having an injured authority muscle has caused me to limp badly in my spiritual walk with God.
I have learned not to talk to people about authority or how to relate to it , because they too, are limping yet seem unawares.
I have begun reading a book titled Spiritual Authority by Watchman Nee. If this man's reputation is correct , he does not limp while walking with God.
I have spent years pondering over the observations of Dr.John Townsend in Hiding From Love . Recently I realised that in order to gain strength and begin to walk correctly I needed some clue as to what was right. I lovingly observe my fellow Christians limping along and know that they only wish , like I, to be better able to walk in the spiritual authority we should have. I say , "lovingly" because I do not feel any different about their spiritual lack than I do about my own.
I have a wounded authority muscle and I am drawn to other wounded souls such as myself. So here we are wounded and walking with God the best we can. Sometimes it kind of looks like a mess to other people , but I know God is looking at us lovingly , glad that we are even up trying to walk with Him.
As I journal about my thoughts from Watchman Nee's book and Dr. John Townsend's book maybe it will provoke thoughts of your own. Please do not try to guide my thoughts to look like yours. I do not journal to convince your thoughts to look like mine. I offer my journal as an obedience to let my light shine before men. You have your own path and need your own light , may you be encouraged to seek for the true light of the gospel by my testimony.
While reading the book Hiding From Love by Dr.John Townsend I learned that it is possible to have a wounded authority muscle. He was referring to the part of ourselves that house feelings which can initiate our actions. The point of the book is to help a person stop hiding from God's love.
At the same time my soul was awakened to the love and forgiveness of God , it was also awakened to His authority. He had the authority to judge me and condemn me but He chose instead to use His authority to say , "I was pardoned."
I have been working at letting God heal my authority muscle. It has been very injured but I believe all things are possible with God. These very words were spoken about Jesus' observation of how a rich man might enter the kingdom of God. Easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. "All things are possible with God."
Having an injured authority muscle has caused me to limp badly in my spiritual walk with God.
I have learned not to talk to people about authority or how to relate to it , because they too, are limping yet seem unawares.
I have begun reading a book titled Spiritual Authority by Watchman Nee. If this man's reputation is correct , he does not limp while walking with God.
I have spent years pondering over the observations of Dr.John Townsend in Hiding From Love . Recently I realised that in order to gain strength and begin to walk correctly I needed some clue as to what was right. I lovingly observe my fellow Christians limping along and know that they only wish , like I, to be better able to walk in the spiritual authority we should have. I say , "lovingly" because I do not feel any different about their spiritual lack than I do about my own.
I have a wounded authority muscle and I am drawn to other wounded souls such as myself. So here we are wounded and walking with God the best we can. Sometimes it kind of looks like a mess to other people , but I know God is looking at us lovingly , glad that we are even up trying to walk with Him.
As I journal about my thoughts from Watchman Nee's book and Dr. John Townsend's book maybe it will provoke thoughts of your own. Please do not try to guide my thoughts to look like yours. I do not journal to convince your thoughts to look like mine. I offer my journal as an obedience to let my light shine before men. You have your own path and need your own light , may you be encouraged to seek for the true light of the gospel by my testimony.
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