Luke 7:8-10 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go', and he goes; and that one, 'Come', and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this', and he does it." When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well. (NIV)
The Roman centurion, whose servant was dying, understood the link between authority and power. Emperor Caesar's authority cascaded through the military structure so that every officer would command in a way that was legitimate, powerful and effective; even though potentially ruthlessly. Orders were always obeyed because the punishments for disobedience were severe. The soldier was frightened of Jesus. Perhaps he thought that the Lord would find fault with him instead of healing his servant. But despite his fear, he also knew that Jesus was the only hope to save the servant. He believed that if Jesus commanded healing, the servant would get well; and so his friends conveyed the message, "Say the word and my servant will be healed!" And the servant recovered immediately!
True faith must start with the confidence that God has legitimate authority to act powerfully and effectively. Faith must follow facts (good feelings may follow after we obey the facts). And the principal fact is that God has all authority to do whatever He chooses. But He has not left us in the dark because He has revealed (in the Bible) what He will reward and punish, and how He will save those who trust in Him.
So, following Jesus is much more straight-forward than trying to connect with mystical feelings; it is a simple matter of believing the Gospel and obeying what God says in the Bible! The centurion understood the principle and Jesus set him as an example for all of us. So as you follow Jesus at work today, accept His supreme authority over everything, rely on His grace to cover your failings and obey His Word. Keeping that in the front of your mind will make the working day much more straight-forward!
The Roman centurion, whose servant was dying, understood the link between authority and power. Emperor Caesar's authority cascaded through the military structure so that every officer would command in a way that was legitimate, powerful and effective; even though potentially ruthlessly. Orders were always obeyed because the punishments for disobedience were severe. The soldier was frightened of Jesus. Perhaps he thought that the Lord would find fault with him instead of healing his servant. But despite his fear, he also knew that Jesus was the only hope to save the servant. He believed that if Jesus commanded healing, the servant would get well; and so his friends conveyed the message, "Say the word and my servant will be healed!" And the servant recovered immediately!
True faith must start with the confidence that God has legitimate authority to act powerfully and effectively. Faith must follow facts (good feelings may follow after we obey the facts). And the principal fact is that God has all authority to do whatever He chooses. But He has not left us in the dark because He has revealed (in the Bible) what He will reward and punish, and how He will save those who trust in Him.
So, following Jesus is much more straight-forward than trying to connect with mystical feelings; it is a simple matter of believing the Gospel and obeying what God says in the Bible! The centurion understood the principle and Jesus set him as an example for all of us. So as you follow Jesus at work today, accept His supreme authority over everything, rely on His grace to cover your failings and obey His Word. Keeping that in the front of your mind will make the working day much more straight-forward!
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