Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.    
John 8:42-44 (NIV)

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In this passage and several other New Testament passages, Jesus sharply confronts the Jewish religious leaders because they did not accept Him and His claim of authority as God’s unique, visible, tangible representative in our world. I can imagine the Pharisees’ indignation, but Jesus did not back down. He took the situation very seriously. As His followers, so should we.

Honestly, though, it has taken me years to accept Jesus’ authority, especially in two key areas: That He alone is the way, the truth, and the life—that no one comes to the Father except through Him. The other is accepting His authority in how I live my everyday life, my choices, my thoughts, the words I speak and the actions I take or not take. It is something that I have had to grow into. Over the years, I have tested His authority and observed other people and their lives. He has helped me in spiritual battles and continues to provide coherence to my life. I, now, have no doubts about Him and His authority as King of the Universe. But, if I, as a committed follower who knows He exists, that He is risen and ruling, could struggle this way, how much more difficult is it for someone who has never experienced His presence to accept His authority over all of life?

In 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, the Apostle Paul explains that as followers of Jesus, we are partnering with God to reconcile the world back to Him. Keeping this in mind when I meet or talk with others who don’t know and follow Jesus, I am greatly humbled. It makes me more sensitive to other people. You and I have been deputized as one of Jesus’ ambassadors to represent Him in our world today, hopefully helping others find freedom in Jesus from the lies of the evil one and his minions. 

To be a genuine and effective ambassador, we must live and act from a place of surrender and acceptance of His authority over our lives and over our world.

Next Steps

Read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, then ask God to give you simple opportunities to share Jesus with another person, whether in words or actions. You will be amazed and delighted, and the other person just might take one step closer to entering the Kingdom of God.

Also, pray for the Holy Spirit to show you any areas in your life where you have not fully accepted His authority so that you can repent and surrender more deeply to Him.