The Ultimate Authority

• Have you ever been put in charge of a group of people? Describe that experience.

• How does it feel when an authority figure is unkind?

Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Colossians 4:1

Slavery was a normal part of life when Paul wrote the book of Colossians. Slavery is no longer a normal or acceptable part of life for most of us, but we can draw a parallel between the situation described in this verse and situations we find today.

The key here is that one person has authority over other people. This is a common occurrence for almost everyone. Most people have a boss at work. Some of us are the bosses at work, but we still have to obey the laws of our state or country. Kids are subject to teachers or others in authority, but they can also be leaders in school and in church. Whatever the specific situation, God wants us to treat people fairly, because in God’s eyes, we are all equal. God is the one who places people in different positions of authority over others. But God is the ultimate authority over all of us, and we all answer to God.

Let’s say you earn the position of stage manager for a play. God does not want you to bark orders at people, be cruel or use your power to hurt people and make them feel bad. Quite the opposite. God wants you to use whatever position you are in to show his love to others.

God calls us to care for our co-workers, our peers and everyone else we come in contact with.

PRAYER
Dear God, please help us remember that you are our ultimate authority. Please help us care for and be kind to others, especially those you have put us in charge of. Amen.