Real Authority

When I ignore heavenly authority I do so unto my own death.  This happens mostly on accident.  It is why Jesus warns over and over, "do not be deceived."

The reason we resist heavenly authority is our own will and the earthly authority structures all around us.  Satan is the "king of this world."

John 14:30-31 NLT — “I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going.

Consider: Pontius Pilate was fully in His authority to execute Jesus.  He literally did nothing wrong and dutifully exercised his responsibility from Rome's perspective.  Same with the Pharisees.  They were within their authority and responsibility from Judaism's perspective. But they both violated HEAVENLY authority because they didn't understand it.

John 18:33-40 NLT — Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked him. Jesus replied, “Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate retorted. “Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” Pilate said, “So you are a king?”

Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” “What is truth?” Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime. But you have a custom of asking me to release one prisoner each year at Passover. Would you like me to release this ‘King of the Jews’?” But they shouted back, “No! Not this man. We want Barabbas!” (Barabbas was a revolutionary.)

Pilate did what was best for Rome (and, he thought, himself). BUT, ultimately Rome fell and he died. It wasn't what was best for either.

Same with the Pharisees.

Luke 20:1-8 NLT — One day as Jesus was teaching the people and preaching the Good News in the Temple, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?” “Let me ask you a question first,” he replied. “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?” They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn’t believe John. But if we say it was merely human, the people will stone us because they are convinced John was a prophet.” So they finally replied that they didn’t know. And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”

This is the question:

What authority, responsibilities and judgments am I dutifully executing today that are actually in conflict with Jesus' heart?... With the government of heaven?  

1. Where am I trying to win arguments Jesus actually wants me to lose?

2.Where am I trying to obtain/keep things or relationships, realities, Jesus wants me to let go of?

3. Where am I massaging truth, controlling outcomes, and manipulating perceptions so people see things my way, instead of letting down my control to see things God's way?

These are all^ unto my DEATH, not the comfort and success... The good life... I think they will bring!!

The cross brought Jesus eternal, glory-filled, life.  For real. Not His will, but the Fathers.

Philippians 2:3-15 NLT — Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.