Speaker: Jamie Singleton

When we submit to someone’s authority it does not mean that we lose the right to ask questions or to disagree. We can ask questions with the motive of getting a clearer understanding so we can obey better, or we can ask because we are considering if we want to obey or not. The basis of questioning will be different though, and will need to come out of a desire to follow better rather than argue a point.

Why is leadership and authority such a controversial topic in our society today? As a society we have become sceptical of authority. We are quicker to dismiss politicians, community leaders or experts. The undermining of truth means there is just a lot of noise. This has exaggerated our tendency for tribalism and polarisation, where we subscribe to the views of those who seem most like us rather than objectively evaluated truth claims…

If God’s grand plan is to fill the earth with His glory, and glory means to put one’s attributes on display, God wants to make Himself visible on earth. He has made Himself visible through Jesus (John 1:18, Col 1:15, Col 2:9). And now He continues to make Himself visible through us, those who have been transformed through seeing Him. One of the primary attributes of God is love (1 John 4:8). So, when we love one another, we show who God is.

We mustn’t see people or leaders as tools to help us to achieve our project, but see them as our first sheep we are to love. Their personal struggles aren’t blockages to achieving our goals. Their struggles, just like mine, are an opportunity to catch sight of a loving, powerful, patient God. God wants you, not your utility.