In writing of the conditions that had overtaken and would overtake Christendom in the future, both Peter and Jude mention those who would “despise lordship.” Peter says that there will be those “who walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise lordship” (2 Peter 2:10 JND). Jude speaks of those who had already infiltrated the profession of Christianity, saying that “these dreamers also defile the flesh, and despise lordship” (Jude 8 JND). Along with the penchant for despising lordship, both Peter and Jude describe many other violent and corrupt practices which characterize those who despise lordship. While many would decry the violent and immoral practices that are described, it is a fact that virtually all of them can be traced back to the despising and resisting of authority.
Authority and Government
Ultimately, all authority must be traced back to and is derived from God Himself. Prior to the flood in Noah’s time, man was not under government. At the time of the fall of man, he obtained a conscience, because he ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Subsequently, God allowed him to see how well he would do with this knowledge, and for a period of more than 1500 years, the world operated without government. Man’s guide was his conscience. The result was that “the earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence” (Gen. 6:1111The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. (Genesis 6:11)), and God destroyed it by a flood. After this, God instituted government in the earth, and this God-given authority continues to this day. During the time of the judges in Israel, Scripture tells us that “every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:66In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:6)), and of this time it is recorded in 2 Chronicles that “in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries” (2 Chron. 15:5). Paul reminds us to “be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Rom. 13:11Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (Romans 13:1)). The Lord Jesus Himself reminded Pilate, “Thou couldest have no power at all against Me, except it were given thee from above” (John 19:1111Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. (John 19:11)). Fallen man cannot operate without government, for his sinful tendencies must be kept under control by the threat of punishment.
Disobedience to Parents
In the last days in which we are living, all of this has reached a crescendo that is perhaps worse than ever before. The tendencies that were already beginning to show themselves in the days of Jude have now matured to the point where we read in 2 Timothy that the despising of lordship begins with children who are “disobedient to parents” (2 Tim. 3:2). This disobedience to parents carries on into the public school system in much of the Western world, where a lack of discipline is the norm. Denied the power to carry out corporal punishment, schools are virtually unable to enforce order in the classroom. The result has been a wholesale rejection of authority right from childhood, and this is borne out by the number of juveniles who are now being charged with serious crimes, including assault, armed robbery and even murder.
An Affront to God
What does all this mean for the believer today? First of all, we must recognize that in despising and rejecting lordship, man is ultimately challenging God Himself. Since all authority is ultimately ordained by and derived from God Himself, the despising of lordship is an affront to God Himself. We should not be surprised at this, for God has told us in His Word that it is a characteristic of the natural man that “there is no fear of God before their eyes” (Rom. 3:1818There is no fear of God before their eyes. (Romans 3:18)). When God’s claims are given up and the Word of God is disregarded, the result is a reverting to what characterizes man in the flesh, namely, no fear of God. After the church is called home, the attitude will be, “With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?” (Psa. 12:44Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? (Psalm 12:4)). We know from prophecy that this will become worse and worse, culminating in the Antichrist, “who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God” (2 Thess. 2:4). Although the true Antichrist will not be manifested until long after we are called home at the Lord’s coming, we will surely see the condition of this world becoming worse, for “even now are there many antichrists” (1 John 2:1818Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? (John 2:18)).
The Giving up of God
Second, and even more important, we must recognize that the condition of the world has always been that which impacted and infiltrated the church of God. Jude recognized this in his day, for it was already happening. It has accelerated today, and it is solemn to realize that the description of the last days in 2 Timothy 3:1-8 is not a description of the pagan world, but rather of Christendom as it tends more and more toward a giving up of God and His claims. Those who have had the brightest gospel testimony are now giving it up. While we who are true believers are truly horrified when we see this happening, we must realize that we are in danger of imbibing an attitude that despises lordship. As the condition of Christendom deteriorates, the democratic spirit that has animated the Western world for several centuries tends to foster the attitude, “No one is going to tell me what to do.” Surely man has abused and continues to abuse the authority God has instituted, whether in the home, in the assembly, or in government. Nevertheless, God’s Word tells us to respect and obey authority, unless it conflicts with God’s claims. The church of God is not a democracy, for while we are all responsible, God has instituted authority there as well as in the home and in government, and we are exhorted to submit to it.
Submission to Authority
The believer has a new life in Christ and thus wants to see righteousness displayed. While those who belong to Christ may tolerate unrighteousness in the world, they expect better things from their fellow-believers. When there seems to be a failure to show the spirit of Christ and to act in a righteous way in the assembly of God, we may react by either rejecting the authority or by thinking that we have the right to separate from God’s assembly. To draw the unrighteousness to the attention of those responsible for it, in a respectful way, is quite in order, but to reject the authority is not of God, for it is ultimately an affront to God Himself. Surely the Lord is over all, and since He is in the midst, we can depend on Him to right that which is seen to be wrong.
Pride
In speaking of submission to authority, perhaps it is in order to mention what often stands in the way of both proper authority and submission to it, namely, pride. We are living in a day when there is literally an epidemic of pride, and it affects every sphere of authority in this world. Man is so filled with himself that it seems that almost any curb on his own will is met with a frightful backlash of anger. In North America, this attitude has resulted in an increase in violent crime, with such things as road rage, shootings and assaults of all kinds. If we are not on guard, this attitude can spill over into the church of God and can affect both those in leadership and authority as well as those in a position to submit. We can be thankful that pride among believers does not usually manifest itself in violent behavior, but it can engender a sinful outlook in our hearts. There may be a stubborn and ungracious attitude on the part of those in authority, and this in turn may cause a hostile and unyielding reaction on the part of those in a position to submit. We must be ready to judge this attitude before the Lord.
Apologies
If we have done wrong in refusing to obey authority or perhaps have displayed a lack of grace in the exercise of authority, we must remember that “every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:1212So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. (Romans 14:12)). On the human side, a sense of our wrong in the Lord’s presence will give us the grace to apologize to the one wronged. It is hard to admit when we have been wrong, and, sad to say, apologies are rare in today’s world. But it is the path of blessing and allows a happy relationship to be restored. No doubt Peter had this in mind when he said, “Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility” (1 Peter 5:5). This is especially needful for those in a position of authority, for they may feel that it is “beneath their dignity” to apologize to those under them. However, admitting our wrong enhances our respect and authority among those under us, rather than diminishing it. As another has said, “The surest sign of repentance before God is humility before men.”
W. J. Prost