The Moral Authority

We as humans are particularly and predictably susceptible to the sin of pride and the corruption that follows. Here we should see in the King a picture of ourselves.

This blessed man with all the wealth and advantages in the world, who has direct access to the Word of God, and who is commanded to be an example to the people demonstrates some of the worst traits. He has knowledge of the history of so many good kings and the warnings front he bad ones. Yet he ignores it. This should seem very familiar to our own lives! He knows John is holy but refuses to listen to him. He trusts his conniving wife instead. And what is the chance that she actually even loves him?! She is willing to ditch her husband to move up the social ladder.

So this man who is to be the moral authority, an example to his people, who even knows what is right makes a rash and stupid vow to his daughter. Well, I don't necessarily think that giving your daughter a lavish gift is a stupid vow but trying to impress your guests is the obvious sin. Now when the daughter returns asking for something sinful the kingly thing to do us to apologize to the guests for his rashness and to confront the daughter and wife. With an external righteousness he refuses to break his vow but commits a greater sin in murdering John!

How often do we as Christians justify our own sin through religious arguments? We are great at justifying ourselves. But when we are leaders we should doubly be on guard against this, especially when other lives pay the price for our sin. There is no doubt, we will sin in this way if we do not guard against it. Assume that we are susceptible to the worst of all sin. Then we can throw ourselves onto Christ in humble reliance and He can work through us powerfully for ourselves and the people we lead.

Created over 1 year ago