“So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7-That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8-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." 9-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.” (NIV) Luke 7:6-9
One of the key issues in our spiritual life is understanding one’s biblical authority. The centurion in this story is commended by Jesus because of his understanding of authority. A centurion was a military officer in charge of literally one hundred men (centurio). He was the final link between the command and action; therefore, the centurion knew that when he issued a command it would be carried out. He was qualified to give orders only because he was under the orders of his superior. He was entrusted with authority because he learned to obey orders.
Principle #1 One under authority is entrusted with authority. One cannot have authority until you are given authority by a greater power. Rebels may exercise power, but submission is the only true path to truly possessing authoritative power. True authority is actually submission and obedience to the power you serve. One who is under authority will complete his task without delay and without complaint. Therefore, with authority comes responsibility to that authority. “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48). The centurion understood that Jesus was a man under authority. Demons, nature and disease obeyed his will. The Centurion understood that a man with this kind of authority must be a man under authority by God. Jesus’ authority and power was effective because he submitted to His Father’s will. He did not speak a word or act upon His own authority, He only did the will of his Father (Jn.12:49).
Principle #2 – Being under authority gives you protection. God is our ultimate “umbrella of protection,” yet He delegates authority in various jurisdictions over our lives. He does this to protect us as well as instruct us because we must learn to be in submission to those authorities in order to have authority. God has given authority to government for social order, the Church for spiritual authority, the family for parental order, marriage for gender order, and employment (the boss) for financial order in our lives. The sooner one learns to obey the authorities over his/her life the sooner greater authority will be entrusted to that person. Authority is given for the sake of peace. When you live under authority properly you will have peace. When we break our submission to the authority in our lives it breeds rebellion, and rebellion is the enemy’s foothold. A rebellious soldier has just weakened any authority he had, and the purpose and will of the authorities over him. Romans 13:1-2 says “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”
Principle #3 – The one under authority has power. With the responsibility to fulfill an order comes the authority to accomplish it. A man under authority has the full right and authority to exercise the power entrusted to him. The man under authority has the power to carry out his orders with the full authority of the one he represents. This means more than just doing something by his own authority, it means doing it the way his overseer would do it and for the reasons he would do it. Being under authority means we act in our superior’s authority and execute it with his power. Human authority has faults and limitations, for this reason, those under authority are instructed to pray for those in authority. Paul says in 1 Timothy 2:1-3 – “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior.”
In conclusion true spiritual power is obtained by those who understand obedience and who know whose authority they represent. Learning obedience and submission to authority is true spiritual power.
- Tim Tyler
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