Skip to main content
search
Category

God

Jul 15
Love0

The Weight You Were Never Meant to Carry

By Anxiety, Brokenness, Comfort, Faith, God, Grief, Hope, Trials, Worry No Comments

Anxiety has become so commonplace that many people accept it as a normal part of life. We make jokes about being chronic worriers, but fear quietly steals our joy, clouds our judgment, and distracts us from the goodness of God. Like a cancer that contaminates our spiritual blessings, hidden anguish is not a minor problem to ignore.

Every generation finds new reasons to fret. Parents fear for their children. Students stress over grades. Workers wonder whether they will keep their jobs. Retirees question whether their savings will last. Even good news often gives way to fresh concerns. Mark Twain reportedly remarked that he had lived through many terrible experiences, most of which never happened. His observation exposes the deceptive nature of anxiety. Our minds often create disasters long before reality ever arrives (Prov. 12:25).

Jesus addressed our common struggle in the Sermon on the Mount. He cautioned us against obsessing over food, clothing, tomorrow’s uncertainties, and even the length of our lives (Matt. 6:25-34). Worry never solves a problem. Anxiety will not add one hour to our lives, remove any of our future hardships, or strengthen us for whatever today’s responsibilities might be. Instead, fear shifts our focus away from the Father’s providential care and concern.

Combatting our internal dismay begins with an honest confession. The Apostle Paul commanded believers to “be anxious for nothing” (Phil. 4:6a). Though we may understand the temptation to worry, we dare not justify it as anything other unbelief. Faith insists that God reigns over every circumstance, no matter how frightening or painful. Despite our rebellious instinct to live as if reality depends upon us, we do well to admit that our prideful delusion only leads to uncertainty and panic. A sincere acknowledgement of our weakness invites God’s strength into our struggle (Psa. 55:22).

The circumstances behind Paul’s words mark his command as even more compelling. Roman authorities held him in prison while he wrote the book of Philippians. False teachers troubled the churches he dearly loved, and execution remained a looming possibility. Even so, the faithful apostle refused to surrender his heart to fear because he trusted the character of God more than the uncertainty of his future (Phil. 1:20-21).

Calling out to God functions as the next step toward lasting peace. Through the means of prayer and supplication, we are to let our requests be made known to God (Phil. 4:6b). God never asks us to ignore our fears. He welcomes every burden, every question, and every concern we bring before Him. Our Savior even admonished His followers to ask, seek, and knock because our heavenly Father delights in giving good gifts to His children (Matt. 7:7-11).

Thanksgiving also transforms the way we talk to God. Gratitude reminds us of the Lord’s past faithfulness while giving us renewed strength to face whatever is ahead (Lam. 3:22-23).  Likewise, prayerful worship deepens our resolve to embrace God’s direction and will before we know the outcome of our petitions. Making specific requests sharpens our dependence upon our heavenly Father because his specific answers serve as practical expressions which reinforce the realness of our faith. All the while, our confidence grows even as our anxiety subsides.

Regardless of what the outcomes might be, God breathes life into our prayers, making them the means of supernatural peace which guards our hearts and minds (Phil. 4:7). Though this holy serenity does not always remove our painful circumstances, the Lord strengthens His people in the middle of every trial (John 14:27).

Because he also understood the powerful connection between our thoughts and our emotions, Paul instructs us to dwell on whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise (Phil. 4:8). Healthy thinking cultivates strategic prayer, resulting in confident living. Fear grows wherever lies dominate our minds, but joy flourishes wherever God’s truth takes root (Rom. 12:2).

Seem too good to be true? Just look around. Birds never store food in barns, yet our heavenly Father feeds them every day. Wildflowers never toil or spin, yet God dresses the fields with their breathtaking colors every spring (Matt. 6:26-30). Each sunrise silently proclaims the Father’s loving care. Every blooming flower reminds us that our Creator never overlooks our needs. Human beings bear God’s image, making us infinitely more valuable than any bird or flower (Gen. 1:26-28).

Every morning presents us with the same choice. We can rehearse our fears or remember God’s steadfastness. We can carry burdens that belong to the Lord or place them into His capable hands. Worry has never changed tomorrow, but trusting God changes us today (Isa. 26:3).

Adam B. Dooley
July 15, 2026

May 28
Love0

A Holy God in an Unholy Age

By God, Holiness, Repentance, Sanctification, Surrender, Worship No Comments

Before his passing in 2017, the late theologian R.C. Sproul remarked, “The greatest spiritual need in people’s lives today is to discover the true identity of God.” Those words are just as convicting today, if not more so, than they were a decade ago. Though many in our world would never reject God outright, multitudes are content to reinvent Him.

Modern versions of Christianity continue to shrink God to a size that is more manageable to our senses. We prefer a tame deity who stays in the background. One who shows up when we need Him because He fancies us the center of the universe. This god is anxious to take his marching orders and eager to remain quiet when we disagree with him.

Isaiah 6 offers a much different picture. With a vision of the Lord enthroned, untamed, glorious, and burning with holiness (Isa. 6:1-4), Scripture confronts us with the unrivaled identity of the only true God. This prophetic picture shatters our sentimental preferences. The living God far exceeds the watered-down mascot who cheers our every ambition, no matter how misguided.

 The background of Isaiah’s glorious image was a season of national uncertainty in Judah. After a reign of more than 50 years, King Uzziah died, leaving a hole inhabited by instability and anxiety (2 Chr. 26:3). Yet, when God’s prophet looked toward heaven, he did not see the Lord panicked or pacing, but reigning from His throne without interruption (Dan. 4:34-35). History does not rattle Him. Evil does not overcome Him. The future does not intimidate Him (Isa. 46:9-10).

Around the throne flew seraphim—angelic servants—who antiphonally sang, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory (Isa. 6:3)!” We prefer to speak more casually about the God we serve, eagerly reducing him to the man upstairs, our life coach, or even worse, our co-pilot. Yet, Isaiah’s description leaves no room for such frivolities.

The seraphim did not chant, “Love, love, love,” even though God is love (1 John 4:8). Nor did they cry, “Merciful, merciful, merciful,” even though the Lord delights in mercy (Mic. 7:18). Instead, they selected the single attribute that most fully captures God’s essence. Holiness does not stand beside God like one trait in a list of many. Holiness defines God, along with all the glory and majesty that accompanies Him (Lev. 11:44–45; 1 Sam. 2:2; Ps. 99:3, 5, 9).

Even the repetition matters. The three-fold declaration marked the emphasis that should grip us. Our God is in a category all His own, without rival or equal. The scene echoed Sinai, where the mountain quaked and smoke rose like a furnace due to Yahweh’s awesome presence (Ex. 19:18). The glorious holiness of God is heavy, and none swagger into His presence.

Isaiah certainly did not.

With a confession that cut through every self-illusion of righteousness, he lamented, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts” (Isa. 6:5). Notice that there is no excuse for or dismissal of his sin. Holiness means that God stands completely separate from wickedness. Evil cannot corrupt Him. The darkness of our transgressions has no fellowship with the light of His purity. We cannot celebrate our sins and embrace God at the same time.

Tragically, our contemporary efforts to rush toward God’s love with no mention of His holiness forfeit the very grace we desperately need. Yet, the greatest testimony of God’s compassion for sinners is not His affirmation of our waywardness, but His transformation of our lives. Though we were formerly dead in our trespasses, walking according to the course of this world, God has made us alive together with Jesus (Eph. 2:1-5). Christ did not die to save us from nothing, but to rescue us from our vile disobedience.

In his humility, Isaiah experienced what countless Christ followers would later find out for themselves. When one of the seraphim took a burning coal from the altar and touched the prophet’s lips, his iniquity was taken away (Isa. 6:6-7). Therein is a picture of the same gospel Christians preach today.

Notice that God took the initiative. The coal came from a place of sacrifice where the consuming fire of God cleanses our shame (Deut. 4:24; Heb. 12:29). The Lord does not negotiate with sin; He destroys it. Thus, God transferred Isaiah’s guilt to the offering, satisfying His holy wrath. Simultaneously, God covered His servant with grace and forgiveness.

The same mercy is available to us through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus. He was pierced through for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities, as God transferred our guilt upon Him (Isa. 53:5-6). Through His scourging we find healing and by means of His chastening He purchased our well-being (Isa. 53:5). Christ became sin for us, not because the Lord was eager to embrace our rebellion, but so that we could become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21). God loves us enough to send His only begotten Son, not to wink at our sin, but to do something about it (John 3:16).

How holy is our God? So much so that He put His Son to death to save sinners like you and me. Our world does not lack opinions about God. What is missing, though, is reverence (Rom. 3:18). Many laugh at the idea of holiness. Others rewrite reality altogether (Isa. 5:20). Far too many demand affirmation, then punish dissent. Thankfully, our God does not take cues from this fallen age. He reigns from His throne in strength and power, knowing that He will have the last word (Ps. 2:1–4).

Adam B. Dooley
May 28, 2026

Feb 11
Love0

When Heaven Touches Earth

By God, Revival, Worship No Comments

After closing our doors for two Sundays due to inclement weather, churches across our community met again this past weekend for what I am sure were powerful gatherings. With so much discouraging news in our world recently, it seems to me that people are hungry for a genuine encounter with the Lord. I am praying that the churches across our nation will see an undeniable visitation from God in the days ahead. A heaven-sent revival is exactly what we need.

The cry of every human heart is to know and connect with our Creator in a meaningful way. To better understand what we should be praying for, allow me to make a distinction between the omnipresence of God and the manifest presence of God.

The Lord’s omnipresence simply means that He is everywhere at the same time. The psalmist illustrates God’s inescapable presence: “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there” (Psalm 139:7-8). The problem, though, is that God can be present while we remain totally unaware that He is with us. He may be everywhere, but He works differently at given times in various places.

For example, is God present in a church building when its doors are locked, and the people are not there? Certainly! But is He present in the same way when His people assemble in that building for worship? I hope not. The manifest presence of God, you see, refers to those unique moments when God makes Himself known in such a way that we cannot ignore Him.

Scripture offers plenty of instances of these rare but powerful encounters with God.

From the Lord walking with Adam and Eve in Eden’s Garden (Gen. 3:8) to His tearing of the veil of the temple and shaking the earth as Jesus died on the cross (Matt. 27:51), sometimes we cannot ignore the overwhelming presence of God even if we try. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Babylon’s fiery furnace, I long for God to show up in a pronounced way with greater frequency for longer periods of time.

When the Lord manifests His presence, we realize that He is our greatest treasure. Thus, every time we gather as believers, in the spirit of James 4:8, we should draw near to God believing that He will draw near to us. Like Moses, what we need more than anything or anyone else is a glimpse of God’s revealed glory (Exodus 34:6-8).

That’s when we learn that God is compassionate. Though we are dead in our trespasses and sins He is willing to make us alive in Christ (Eph. 2:1-7). He is gracious, because though our sins are like scarlet, they will be white as snow (Isa. 1:18). He is slow to anger even though all have sinned and fall short of His glory (Rom. 3:23). He is abounding in loving kindness, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). He is abounding in truth, because He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). He forgives iniquity and transgression and sin, though we pierced, crushed, and chastened Him (Isa. 53:5). He is holy, which means He is unwilling to leave the guilty unpunished and He will smite the nations with the sword of His mouth (Rev. 19:15).

I fear that far too often, we prefer God’s blessings over God Himself. We want protection from Hell. We need healing from sickness. We crave material prosperity. We approach God like a genie in a bottle expecting Him to give, give, give. We want just enough religion to make ourselves feel better, but still so little that it makes God sick. And we forget that, without God in our midst, all forms of religious piety are dead and worthless.

So, let’s pray that God will revive our hearts. Let’s submit ourselves to the gospel of Christ and the authority of Holy Scripture. Let’s seek the Lord while He may be found. Pray that our hunger for God would grow. Pray that God’s presence would fall on your city and mine. Pray that our churches would grow tired of business as usual. Pray that God will show us His glory!

Adam B. Dooley
February 11, 2026

Nov 24
Love0

Why Should We Trust God?

By Christian Living, Doubt, Faith, God, Trust No Comments

Do you trust me? That was the question I heard from one of my sons as he, through a sly grin, begged me to sit down. Because he was unaware that I saw him slip the Whoopee Cushion beneath me, his efforts to persuade his dad were even more entertaining to me than what was about to happen would be to him.

Perhaps you’ve heard a similar insistence from someone you love. Whether it is lighter moments or more serious matters, we frequently reassure the people that we love in both word and deed that we are trustworthy. The counsel parents offer their children, for example, roots itself in trust.

When the right decision is painful, a father reminds his son—trust me.

When the high road is costly, a mother might plead—trust me.

When future outcomes seem uncertain, parents reassure with the words—trust us.

Ultimately, who we choose to trust will determine both the course and quality of our lives. These instances, though, reveal an important lesson about trustworthiness. Who we trust depends largely upon a person’s character and their perceived motive. With that in mind, let me ask the most important question of all; do you trust God? Do you trust Him with your future? Do you trust Him with your fortune? Do you trust Him with your loved ones? Do you trust Him to forgive you when you stray? Do you trust Him with your life? And your soul? Do you trust Him enough to follow Him into tomorrow even if today is a disappointment? If so, why? And if not, what would convince you to do so?

Thankfully, tucked away in the Old Testament book of Isaiah are at least four significant reasons why we should trust God with our whole heart. First, we learn that ours is a God who satisfies fully. Immediately after describing the future suffering of the coming Messiah (Isa. 53:1-12), the prophet offered three profound images of how greatly we should rejoice over God’s grace in our lives. Because blessings are a miracle, we should celebrate them like a barren woman who conceives a child (Isa. 54:1-3). When the shame of our sin disappears, we enjoy relief like an adulterous woman who receives forgiveness and comfort from her husband (Isa. 54:4-10). After the provisions of God flow abundantly into our lives, we praise Him like citizens of a previously poor city now covered in jewels (Isa. 54:11-12).

Following these powerful metaphors is an invitation to all who will hear it—Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters (Isa. 55:1). In other words, God’s grace is about more than surviving; it is about thriving! Come and drink deeply from the rivers of mercy and find out how wonderfully satisfying Christ is for yourself. Don’t just think about it—COME! Don’t make excuses—COME! Don’t look for loopholes—COME! Don’t delay responding—COME (Rev. 22:17)!

Second, the prophet teaches us that we serve a God who loves deeply. Though Isaiah was primarily the Lord’s messenger to Israel’s southern kingdom, next he reveals that God’s intentions are much bigger than any one nation (Isa. 55:4-5). The promised Son born of a virgin in Bethlehem (Isa. 7:14; 9:6) came to suffer for the sins of the whole world (John 3:16). God’s love is bigger than just one group of people. His love is bigger than one nation. His love is bigger than one generation. God loves all people at all times in every place.

Currently, the world boasts of 195 countries and God loves them all. There are 650 ethnic groups across the globe and God loves them all. There are 24 time zones on planet earth and God loves them all. There just under 8 billion people alive right now and God loves each one of them. That means that God loves YOU and all of His instructions are for your good.

Third, we learn that we have a God who forgives completely. I suspect the reason that we sometimes doubt God’s love for us is because our sins are greater than we care to admit. Yet, the Lord desires that we seek and find Him (Isa. 55:6) knowing that if we forsake our sins, He will have compassion on us by abundantly pardoning every sinner (Isa. 55:7). While total cleansing is available to all because of God’s love, only those who thoroughly repent will know its joy. If this promise seems too good to be true, remember that God is not like us and His ways are not our ways (Isa. 55:8-9).

Finally, we discover the guarantee that the Bible reveals a God who succeeds eternally. Stated differently, He always accomplishes exactly what He desires and precisely what He says. Just as rain and snow water the earth before evaporating, so God’s Word will always accomplish His work (Isa. 55:10-11). And what does Scripture promise God’s people? Joy, peace, celebration, and renewal (Isa. 55:12-13). Granted, these poetic realities felt true after God rescued Israel from Babylonian captivity, but Isaiah is also forecasting a future reality yet to occur.

One day, Christ will return and our broken world will be made right. He will wipe the tears from our eyes, swallow up death in victory, end our mourning, and remove our pain (Rev. 21:4-5). Every page of the Bible echoes this message and, because God always succeeds in His plans, you can trust that it is completely and remarkably true. So, if you’re already walking with God, keep trusting Him. And if you are considering following Jesus, I hope you will. You won’t regret giving Him your confidence.

Adam B. Dooley
November 24, 2025

Jul 29
Love0

A Promise for Troubled Days

By Christian Living, God, Trials No Comments

Do you ever worry that you’re going under if something doesn’t change? Do you fear that you cannot deal with the stress of your circumstances any longer? Do you ever feel like God has abandoned you? If so, I want to encourage you with a promise for believers that has given me strength over the years. Joshua 1:5 says, “Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.”

Thankfully, God’s pledge to Joshua was not an isolated incident. Moses’ successor reminded God’s people of the same promise when they fought against their enemies (Joshua 10:25). Before King Solomon built Israel’s temple in Jerusalem, his father David assured him that God would never fail or forsake him until the work was finished (1 Chr. 28:20). After Assyria invaded Judah with intentions of conquering Jerusalem, King Hezekiah admonished his citizens by insisting that the Lord was with them and that He is greater than any enemy they faced (2 Chr. 32:7-8).

Every time a leader relayed the promise of God’s presence to others, Scripture reveals a strong call to be strong and courageous as a result. Not only was this the pattern employed by Moses as he encouraged Joshua, God Himself follows the same progression three times as He speaks directly to His new leader (see Joshua 1).

  • Be strong and courageous . . . (v6) for I will give the people the land I promised.
  • Be strong and courageous . . . (v7) as you obey my commandments.
  • Be strong and courageous . . . (v9) because I will be with you wherever you go.

These appeals to strength and courage are the direct result of God’s repeated intention to remain with Joshua no matter the situation. The Lord assured him, “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you (Joshua 1:5).”

Remarkably, God frequently reassured His children by directly asserting His presence with them. When temptation assailed Abraham, the Lord promised to be a shield for him (Gen. 15:1). As Isaac endured the envy and hostility of others, God again guaranteed His presence (Gen. 26:24). While serving under harsh circumstances due to the Babylonian threat, God maintained His intention to save and deliver the prophet Jeremiah (Jer. 42:11). Though the Apostle Paul suffered greatly for serving His Savior, the Lord again acknowledged His presence and admonished the apostle not to fear (Acts 18:9-10). Even while Israel faced the self-inflicted consequences for their rebellion, God came to them with compassion saying, “Do not fear, for I am with you (Isa. 41:10; 43:5).”

In addition to these stated examples of Yahweh’s determination to remain with His people at all times, the Bible often observes that God is with His servants even when He does not say so. Consider again the escalating hardships of Joseph in the book of Genesis. The narrative reveals that his brothers hated him. After they sold him into slavery, Potiphar’s wicked wife falsely accused Joseph of adulterous intentions, resulting in an unfair prison sentence. Yet, despite God’s apparent silence on the matter, the Bible continually consoles us:

  • The Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man (Gen. 39:2; emphasis mine).
  • His master saw that the Lord was with him . . . (Gen. 39:3; emphasis mine)
  • The Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer (Gen. 39:21; emphasis mine).
  • The chief jailer did not supervise anything under Joseph’s charge because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made to prosper (Gen. 39:23; emphasis mine).

Joseph seemed to lean hard into the reality of God’s presence. Toward the end of his life, while looking back over his most painful events, he found comfort in knowing that what others meant for evil against him, God strategically used for good (see Gen. 50:20).

If these examples still seem too far from the world where you live, drink deeply from the profound insight of Acts 17:27-28, which assures us that God is “not far from each of us” because “in Him we live and move and exist.” Our heavenly Father invites us to enjoy contentment apart from financial or material ambitions simply because He promises to never desert or forsake us (Heb. 13:5) due to His relentless priority of meeting our needs (Heb. 13:6).

In addition, Jesus, when speaking directly to all Christians in every age, guaranteed His presence in our lives as we go about the work of making disciples of the nations (Matt. 28:18-20). Regardless of how severe our misfortunes might be, we can rest easy knowing that God “will not forsake His godly ones” (Psalm 37:28). He is ALWAYS with us!

Adam B. Dooley
July 29, 2025

Mar 19
Love0

My Favorite Verse

By Future, God, Peace, Providence, Trials No Comments

My Favorite Verse

The name Abe Anglin probably means nothing to you, but from the fourth grade on I knew he just had to be my sixth-grade teacher. He wasn’t much over 6 feet tall, but to me he was a peculiar, giant of a man because he had a bald head with a large scar on the side due to brain surgery. Little did I know that I would not only be a student in his class, but I would also learn lessons from this man that still shape who I am today. In the providence of God, our families quickly became friends during my last year of elementary school. As a result, “Mr. A” as we called him, soon invited me to a church function where he would share his testimony.

As I listened to the story of how his brain tumor was successfully removed, he boasted only in the faithfulness of the Lord and the grace he received. I still remember how I felt when he began sharing his favorite verse of Scripture. “And we know,” he said, “that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28).” Instantly, I knew those words were special, and I soon decided that this would be my favorite verse too. What I did not realize, though, was just how important those words would be to me a few short months later.

Weeks before Christmas, while I was a student in his class, Mr. Anglin’s tumor came back. Before his second surgery, we sat outside my classroom on the floor after school. “Adam, I’m not afraid to die,” Abe said slowly. I shook my head, not immediately sensing the gravity of the moment. “Let me say it again. I will probably die from this tumor, but I want you to know I am not afraid.” His words overwhelmed me. I believed the gospel, but I had never met anyone with such bold faith. “If you will live for Christ,” he added, “you won’t fear that day either.”  The conversation is still so vivid to me.

By the time I reached the eighth grade, Mr. Anglin was still battling cancer. After having his tumor removed a third time, it became apparent that he would indeed die. At the tender age of 26, he was gone far too soon. Yet, no matter how unbearable his malady became, the words of Romans 8:28 always gave this remarkable man hope no matter how grim things appeared. I didn’t fully understand it then, and frankly, I’m not sure I grasp it now. I am certain, though, that this powerful verse of Scripture is a steady anchor when trials beat against the shore of our lives. Even death cannot unravel the hope found within these profound words.

If I may state the promise succinctly, God is always working for your good, even when you can’t see it. In every circumstance, in every struggle, in every heartache life throws your way, there is nowhere you can go and nothing that can happen to you when God is not actively working to bring about good. It may not always be obvious to you, especially during tumultuous seasons of misfortune, but the Bible teaches that God is out before you, guiding the steps and rhythms of your life.

“And we know . . .” conveys a sense of confidence and assurance. Though our world is constantly changing, these words represent an unchanging promise from our eternal Lord. “God causes all things . . .” communicates the comprehensive scope of our Savior’s commitment to His people. God is actively weaving the incidental and monumental events of our lives together for His particular purposes. Not some things or most things, but ALL things. God uses every moment of your life to work toward His ultimate good for you.

Every enjoyable and wholesome circumstance you savor fits perfectly into God’s creative intentions for your life. He uses all the moments that give us overflowing gratitude far beyond the immediate satisfaction we can see and celebrate. In addition, the word ALL includes the less desirable realities of life as well. Bad things, tragic things, depressing things, shocking things, and even evil things have a sense of design because of God’s redemptive purpose for His children. NOTHING comes across the pages of your life that God doesn’t utilize for His greater plan. EVERYTHINGin your life leads to good when you know Jesus.

I would be remiss, however, without acknowledging that this wonderful promise is conditional. God limits His reassurance “ . . . to those who love God, to those who are called.”  When the Bible says WE know, it is referring to those who know and love God; or those who are born again. This promise, as most others, applies only to those who belong to Jesus. By turning to Christ in repentance and faith, we can live with the assurance that our Heavenly Father is actively working for our good.

And why is the Lord so faithful to His own? The next verse explains that God’s ultimate goal is to conform us to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29). Our happiness and comfort are secondary to this primary agenda. The silver lining behind every burden is not that our circumstances will change, but that our character and commitment will transform instead.

Adam B. Dooley
March 19, 2025

Mar 15
Love0

The Authority We Need (and Resist)

By Authority, God, Sovereignty, Uncategorized No Comments

We live in an age where people resist and even resent the idea of authority. A rugged individualism that says you cannot tell me what to do governs our thinking. Misguided moral relativism whispers the lie that what’s true for you may not be true for me. Added to this is an increased skepticism which insists that we should never believe or trust the strong and powerful.

Recently in our home, one of my precious daughters whom I adore and for whom I would do anything, looked up at me and said, “You can’t tell me what to do, Daddy!” No sooner than my frustration began to rise, the Holy Spirit immediately convicted me, suggesting that I respond the same way to Him.

Indeed. From a young age our fallen nature prods us that all authority is bad and should be resisted. Admittedly, we can all point to examples of abuse that stems from unchecked power. Authoritarianism frightens us, and for good reason. Each of us has seen the strong take advantage of the weak and the empowered cheat to keep the upper hand. Additionally, most personally know the misery that comes when a person is forced do what he does not want to do.

Yet, misusages like these notwithstanding, God has woven healthy authority into every part of our world. Humanity has authority over this earth (Gen. 1:26-28). Government has authority over its citizens (Rom. 13:1-7). Pastors have authority over their congregations (Heb. 13:17). Husbands have authority over wives (Eph. 5:22-33). Parents have authority over children (Eph. 6:1-4). Employers have authority over employees (Eph. 6:5-8). Most importantly of all, though, Jesus Christ has authority over each of us (1 Cor. 11:3).

The gospel of Mark goes to great lengths to demonstrate Christ’s sovereign dominion over all creation. After shaming the chief priests and scribes into silence for their efforts to entrap Him over John the Baptist (Mark 11:27-33), Jesus offered a parable to expose these religious leaders who rejected His authority (Mark 12:1-12). The underlying lesson that remains for us today is that God’s condemnation awaits those who resist His Son, who has every right to act with the unlimited authority of heaven.

Next, the Pharisees and Herodians present Jesus with the conundrum of paying taxes to Ceasar, specifically the unpopular poll tax reserved for residents of Judea and Samaria (Mark 12:14). Though the sum of the charge was small (one denarius), the imposition was greatly offensive to Jewish loyalists. If the Lord instructed them to pay the tax, His own people would have rebelled against Him. But, if He gave Jews permission to disobey the state’s demand, Roman soldiers would have arrested Him immediately.

Refusing to fall for their deceit, Jesus held up a Roman coin and asked whose likeness appeared on it (Mark 12:15-16). With Ceasar’s face on every denarius, the caption would have read, “Tiberius Ceasar, Augustus, son of divine Augustus.” Because ancients believed that coins belonged to whoever’s picture was on them, Jesus wisely instructed onlookers to render unto Ceasar that which belongs to Ceasar (Mark 12:17a). His next statement, however, ought to arrest our attention.

“Render unto God, the things that are God’s (Mark 12:17b). But what exactly was Jesus referring to with these words? If we return to Ceasar that which has his image, what exactly bears the image of God? The answer is as old as creation itself. The first chapter of Genesis reveals the Trinitarian agenda of heaven, “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness . . . (Gen. 1:26a).” Scripture then adds, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them (Gen. 1:27).”

The idea is that every human soul is God’s property because each uniquely bears His image as Creator. Fourth century theologian Augustine went as far to instruct that we should render “to Ceasar his coins and to God your very selves.” How far does Christ’s authority extend over your life? Over every single part of it.

With this mind, we can better understand why Jesus insisted the following Him requires dying to ourselves and taking up our crosses daily (Matt. 16:24-26). Practically, the authority of our Lord means that He determines what we believe about right and wrong, how we define success, who we spend our time with, and where we plant our lives. God unapologetically desires to dictate how you live, love others, spend your money, treat your spouse, forgive your enemies, put in a day’s work, and enjoy your spare time.

Jesus has no interest in having part of your life; He lays claim on your entire life. God wants your whole heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:29-30). He has every right to expect you to FOLLOW Him and LOVE Him. If you do, you will find His authority is good and life-giving, as He leads us down the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake (Ps. 23:3).

Adam B. Dooley
March 15, 2025

Close Menu