Down through the years, N.T. Christians have continually engaged others in religious discussions on authority. We have made all the obligatory arguments on establishing authority, properly defining terms, etc. Yet, we wonder why we have not enjoyed as much success as we would have liked. Could it be that we have chosen the wrong starting point?

Authority can only be understood when we fully appreciate the God behind it. If we do not respect God for who He is and what He has done, why would we care about respecting what He has said? Fortunately, He has revealed Himself to us so that we are "without excuse" (Rom. 1:19-20). This He has done in 2 books: the book of nature, and the book - the Bible.

There is no other being like Jehovah. Following Egypt's slaughter in the Red Sea, Moses led Israel in a jubilant triumph song proclaiming the praises of the God who saved them. In Ex. 15:11, Moses states "Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders?"

When God delivered His judgment against Edom through Jeremiah, He asked the rhetorical question, "For who is like Me? Who will summon Me into court?" (Jer. 49:19)

This same God saw fit to correct the impudence of His servant Job after He had been wrongfully accused. In Job 38:3-5, God challenges a man to instruct Him and explain things only an eternal God would know.

These 3 brief examples illustrate that there are just certain aspects of life that only God knows. That, by definition, makes Him deserving of respect. Even though man is God's crown jewel of creation, he is in no position to dismiss God as irrelevant. Jehovah is inherently enthroned and we can do nothing about it...except humble ourselves and recognize Him for who He is and what He has done.

You want to talk about authority? It all starts with respect for God. He is Creator, Savior, and Judge. Who else should we respect...nay, reverence more than Him?