Care Conversations 12 – The joy of being under authority
Parents and teachers are responsible to provide a disciplined environment in which young people can live and thrive. This requires the exercise of authority. Both the words “discipline” and “authority” have gained negative perceptions in present day culture. We need to redeem their meaning and essential nature.
I think that we have recast the meaning of these two words because we have developed an aberrant view of freedom. Discipline and authority are suggestive of restricted freedom; whereas freedom has come to mean living without restriction.
Let us examine this by using a brief analysis of a Bible passage.
“… thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere.”[1]
A superficial reading (together with a dose of self-focus,) leads us to think that this means that Christian believers are rejoicing to be on the winning team. We are there in the parade waving banners, being cheerleaders and soon we’ll be standing on the podium receiving the trophy!
Paul is using well recognised first century imagery. When he uses the phrase “leads us in triumphal procession” he is picturing great Roman Generals. When they won significant battles, the enemies that had been conquered were linked together with chains and led in captivity either to death or slavery. Paul is not the one leading the triumphal procession; he is the one being led in it like a prisoner of war! It is the triumph of the leader not the prisoners – in Paul’s image we are the prisoners.
We are being led in triumphal procession by Christ who has redeemed us and given us the victory by defeating our rebellion and sin; causing the death of our sinful selves. We have now become slaves to Jesus.
So, freedom is not lack of authority, it is living under the correct authority. The nature of that authority is critical. Parents and teachers are subject to the authority of Jesus – it would be good to know what that looks like.
We will explore that next week.
Blessings
Brian
[1] 2 Corinthians 2:14