Week 6: The Rule of Love
Recommended Reading:
Chapter 7- Conclusion (32 pages)
Key Quotes:
Key Quotes:
Chapter 7
"[God] possesses an intrinsic moral right to rule, make judgments, exercise power…Human authority, however, is always relative and limited. It's not something we are. It's something we must be given…Our authority is borrowed from God, which means God always sets its limits and purposes." (136)
"Good authority binds in order to loose, corrects in order to teach, trims in order to grow, disciplines in order to train, legislates in order to build, judges in order to redeem, studies in order to innovate." (142)
"A good leader knows he or she is constrained by God's law, constrained by the rules of his or her office, constrained to the specified objectives of that office, constrained by a profound understanding of people as Gods-imagers." (148)
Conclusion
"Good authority binds in order to loose, corrects in order to teach, trims in order to grow, disciplines in order to train, legislates in order to build, judges in order to redeem, studies in order to innovate." (142)
"A good leader knows he or she is constrained by God's law, constrained by the rules of his or her office, constrained to the specified objectives of that office, constrained by a profound understanding of people as Gods-imagers." (148)
Conclusion
"…if you cannot figure out how love and judgment, or love and authority, or love and holiness work together, you have not yet understood God's love." (160)
Engagement Questions:
Engagement Questions:
Chapter 7
1. How does love and authority go hand in hand? How does it demonstrate/articulate the love of God?
2. In what ways do you need to change the way that you wield authority in your family? Work? Church?
Conclusion
1. After reading this book, how has your understanding of love been shaped or reshaped?
2. What, if anything, did you wish the author spent more time unpacking?
Chapter 7 Summary:
Conclusion
1. After reading this book, how has your understanding of love been shaped or reshaped?
2. What, if anything, did you wish the author spent more time unpacking?
Chapter 7 Summary:
In the final chapter (yes, there is a conclusion, but those are usually just wrap-ups), we finally look at the relationship between love and authority. And this chapter really sort of builds upon and reinforces many of the things that we have already read, but applies it in the context of love and authority. Living in a world that is fallen, it can be difficult for some people to see how any form of authority can be considered loving. And so, we first have to start with definitions. A person with authority, generally defined, is someone who has the right to make judgments that bind others. Too often, we see and experience in our own lives abusive and corrupt authorities. However, what we are trying to do is understand how true love and proper authority relate with one another, and they both can be found in the God who is love and wields authority over all. I like how Jonathan put it, "Holy love is the ground for every godly and good use of authority. It provides authority's purpose and framework" (143).
Given the previous statements, we begin to understand that a good use of authority is one that does not contradict with the nature of God, especially His love. In the life of His people, we see authority exercised in a way that seeks to exalt God and exalt God in our neighbors. This means that we are willing to humble ourselves and bring ourselves low for the sake of others, that is a loving thing to do. It also means that we recognize that our authority is not borne out of us, but has been vested to us by the highest authority, God. And since it is from God, we submit to God and will operate within the confines that He has placed on our authority. For example, a husband and father has been given the authority from God to lead his family. One explicit way they are to do so is to love their wives as Christ loved the church and not to provoke their children. In submission to God's authority over him, the man will exercise his authority over his family in a way that is right and good and loving. And although this may seem counter-cultural, we live this way in faith knowing that God will bring the growth and fruit and do the work that He desires.
And this can also be put on display in our local church communities. For example, a pastor preaches and teaches with authority over the congregation, not forcing them to obey everything he says, but leading them along the path that is right because of the pastor's love for God and love for his flock. He commands them with the authority found in the Scriptures to disciple them, but not in a manner that is abusive because he is meant to also shepherd and care and protect the flock. Ultimately, what we see is that when we better understand how the two, love and authority, relate to one another, the more God like we will live. The better we appreciate the interrelations between the two, the more closely we can reflect who He is to the world. It is when we comprehend the two more clearly that we are able to begin to comprehend the magnitude and splendor of God’s love for us.
Grace and Peace,
Alex Galvez
To never miss an article, click on the "Subscribe" button at the top of the blog page (https://aogalvez.blogspot.com/)
****************************************************
These articles usually follow the current Bible Reading plan for Overflow Ministries. If you would like to join the reading plan, simply download the plan here: Overflow Reading Plan
Given the previous statements, we begin to understand that a good use of authority is one that does not contradict with the nature of God, especially His love. In the life of His people, we see authority exercised in a way that seeks to exalt God and exalt God in our neighbors. This means that we are willing to humble ourselves and bring ourselves low for the sake of others, that is a loving thing to do. It also means that we recognize that our authority is not borne out of us, but has been vested to us by the highest authority, God. And since it is from God, we submit to God and will operate within the confines that He has placed on our authority. For example, a husband and father has been given the authority from God to lead his family. One explicit way they are to do so is to love their wives as Christ loved the church and not to provoke their children. In submission to God's authority over him, the man will exercise his authority over his family in a way that is right and good and loving. And although this may seem counter-cultural, we live this way in faith knowing that God will bring the growth and fruit and do the work that He desires.
And this can also be put on display in our local church communities. For example, a pastor preaches and teaches with authority over the congregation, not forcing them to obey everything he says, but leading them along the path that is right because of the pastor's love for God and love for his flock. He commands them with the authority found in the Scriptures to disciple them, but not in a manner that is abusive because he is meant to also shepherd and care and protect the flock. Ultimately, what we see is that when we better understand how the two, love and authority, relate to one another, the more God like we will live. The better we appreciate the interrelations between the two, the more closely we can reflect who He is to the world. It is when we comprehend the two more clearly that we are able to begin to comprehend the magnitude and splendor of God’s love for us.
Grace and Peace,
Alex Galvez
To never miss an article, click on the "Subscribe" button at the top of the blog page (https://aogalvez.blogspot.com/)
****************************************************
These articles usually follow the current Bible Reading plan for Overflow Ministries. If you would like to join the reading plan, simply download the plan here: Overflow Reading Plan
You may follow Overflow Ministries @ https://faithlife.com/overflowtx/activity
or on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/OverflowChurchTX/
or on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/OverflowChurchTX/
Comments
Post a Comment