Is God's Word Our Authority?

Is God’s word our authority? Well, we have to first of all know what authority is. Authority is power, control, and the law that governs us. We have seen throughout the last three weeks that God’s word has the authority to create all we see around us, with nothing more than a spoken word. We have seen during Jesus’ ministry on earth that He had the authority over weather, demons, and even healing the sick and the lame. All he had to do is speak, and the job was done. We have also seen that God’s Word holds the truths about scientific laws, and mathematic equations, proving His Word to be authoritative. But, now we finely deal with the heart of the matter, is God’s word our authority? 

The first example of God’s authority is found in Psalm 119. In verse 11 it says, “Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.”  (NASB) Then he says in verse 105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” It appears to the psalmist that God’s word is everything he needs. God’s word protects him so that he will not sin if he chooses to abide in God’s word. Further than that, God’s word guides him where he needs to be like a light guides our pathway in the dark. Doesn’t this language used seem to indicate authority? But, that was the Old Testament - let’s look at something more pertinent today.

The second example of God’s authority is found in the gospel of John, Jesus says, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:31). The lesson learned here is very similar to what the Psalmist wrote, and that is for those who make God’s word apart of their lives, safety and guidance will be given to them. 

The third example of God’s authority is found in Romans 1:16, when Paul says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”  What does Paul say the gospel is? He says of the gospel that, “it is the power of God for salvation”. The gospel, which is the good news, is power, and it is the source of our salvation. But again, there is a condition. We must believe. Those who want the protection that God gives must dwell in God’s word, to the point that they believe in it with all their heart. 

The fourth example of God’s authority is found in 2 Timothy 3:16, when Paul says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;” Notice, Paul does not say, “some scripture”, or, “most scripture,” but, “All Scripture”. The entire work of the Bible is profitable for those four nouns Paul shares with us. But, notice even further what the scriptures are intended for in verse 17, “so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” God’s word has the authority, the power, and the guidance for every good work we wish to accomplish as Christians, if only we will study it carefully and thoroughly applying it to our lives. 

These are just a few out of many examples we could look at in regards to God’s word having authority. Looking at these examples we can know for certain that God’s word is the power, authority and the law that we must answer to.  God’s word has the ability to guide us and protect us in this life if we choose to make it a part of us. God’s word has the ability to make us disciples of Christ; if we continue in His words. God’s word has the ability to bring us its power of salvation if we believe and obey it. God’s word can shape us to be the Christians we need to be! 

With this in mind, let me encourage you to never stop studying. God’s word shows us the way to salvation and forgiveness of sins, God’s word shows us how to be a disciples of Christ, and God’s word shows us how to make it to our home in heaven. Never stop studying, but dwell on God’s word daily, and let it shape, and mold you into the person God wants you to be.  Let’s hide God’s word in our hearts, because God’s word is our authority!