In This Issue

• Overcoming Adversities: Introduction, by Ira Mikell
• Submitting to Authority, by Ethan R. Longhenry

Overcoming Adversities: Introduction

Ira Mikell

Every Christian will encounter adversities during his walk with Christ (1 John 1:7), from the day of his spiritual birth (Romans 6:3-4) unto the day of his passing from this life (Hebrews 9:27). Some adversities will be more difficult to deal with than others. But, all hardships, however, can be overcome. For Paul said,

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me, (Philippians 4:13).

Throughout this series of articles, we will examine various places in which adversities will be found. Before we begin, it is important to know the meaning of the word adversity and the different types that exist.

The word adversity simply means "hardship, difficulty, opposition, or problem." Other terms that come from this word are adverse and adversary. Adverse is defined as a negative effect upon a person, place, or thing. An adversary is someone who is considered to be an enemy.

There are two kinds of adversities: physical and spiritual. These will be discussed in more detail in later articles. Let us now cite a few examples of those in the Bible who faced adversities.

• Adam and Eve. In the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve faced their first adversity. It dealt with Satan tempting them to disobey God's command and eat of the "tree of knowledge of good and evil," (Genesis 2:9, 3:1-5).

• Moses. When God told him to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt, Moses was afraid because of his adversity of not being able to speak well. The scripture says,

  And Moses said unto the LORD, "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue," (Exodus 4:10).

• Jesus Christ. Christ faced many adversities during His life on earth. For example, Christ encountered and overcame Satan's attempts to be tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11; Hebrews 4:15).

• The Apostles. The apostles often were threatened and persecuted for doing the Lord's work (Acts 5:17-29).

In conclusion, the Christian will encounter many adversities, great or small, throughout his life. It is important to consider that all hardships can be overcome with Christ (Philippians 4:3).

Ira Mikell
ira@thechristianexaminer.com

Submitting to Authority

Ethan R. Longhenry

The concept of authority is absolutely critical in understanding the message of Jesus Christ as explained to us in the Scriptures. The message of the Gospel rests on the fundamental principle that Christ has all authority and that we must submit to Him.

Unfortunately, the concept of authority in this world, especially in the United States, is not properly understood. We have been raised imbued with the democratic ideal: the authority rests in the people. The people elect their leader who does what they deem fit. While this ideal is rarely realized, Americans have surely accepted it as fact, even taking this form of attitude to spiritual matters.

Further, modern philosophies also undermine authority by attempting to relativize all belief systems. In modern viewpoints, there is no one right way, but multiple paths to the same end. "My" viewpoint is no better or worse than "your" viewpoint, and "your" god is no more or less valid or invalid than "my" god. It is no wonder that the concept of authority as explained in the Scriptures is not understood in these times!

We must not let these modern philosophies divert us from the truth of the Gospel of our Lord. Let us examine the Scriptures to see what we may learn about authority:

• Christ has authority. We read in Matthew 28:18:

  And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, "All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth."

  If all authority has been given to Christ, how much authority has been left to us, especially in religious matters? Absolutely none.

• Since Christ has authority, we must give obeisance to Him. Paul says the following in Philippians 2:9-11:

  Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

  There is no room to exult or proclaim any other than Jesus Christ, and all will have to at some point give praise to Him.

  Since we are under Christ's authority, we must be subject to Christ. Ephesians 5:24:

  But as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their husbands in everything.

  If we are of Christ, we are a part of His Church (Ephesians 1:23, 1 Corinthians 12), and therefore we must be subject to Christ.

  If we are truly Christ's, we must do all things we do by His authority. Colossians 3:17:

  And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

  "In the name of the Lord Jesus" is recognized as meaning that we must do all things by the authority of Christ, and such deeds are found in His Word.

It ought to be evident to every Christian that his life must be conformed to the will of Christ Jesus since He has been given all authority. There is no room for man to assert any "right" that he may believe he has to add to or take away from the words of our Lord Jesus; if He has all authority, that means that we have no authority in and of ourselves. If we desire to be saved and to live in Heaven with Him, we must fully submit to His authority and live by His precepts. There is no other way.

Ethan R. Longhenry
ethan@thechristianexaminer.com
www.deusvitae.com

For Further Discussion

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