Living Under God's Authority
By Pastor Jerry A. Burns
Recently, I read about a man who refused to give his name to police because he claimed to be a sovereign citizen. He believed that certain laws did not apply to him and that he could operate under his own authority. No matter how strongly he believed it, the courts ruled otherwise. Reality did not bend to his opinion. His personal beliefs could not change the truth.
As I thought about that story, I could not help but think about how many people approach God the same way. They decide for themselves what is right and wrong. They create a version of Christianity that fits their preferences. They reject portions of God’s Word they do not like and embrace only what is comfortable. Yet God’s truth remains unchanged. We do not get to vote on His commands, rewrite His standards, or redefine His authority.
The Christian life begins when we surrender. Salvation itself is an act of yielding to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Every day afterward is a choice to live under His authority rather than our own. The flesh says, “My will be done.” Faith says, “Thy will be done.” One path leads to confusion and heartache; the other leads to peace and blessing.
I have discovered in my own life that the greatest struggles often come when I try to be the captain of my own ship. But when I submit to God’s Word, trust His wisdom, and follow His direction, there is rest for my soul. God’s authority is not a burden — it is a blessing. The One who created us knows what is best for us.
Today, ask yourself: Am I living according to what seems right to me, or according to what God has said? The safest place in the world is under the authority of the Lord.
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Take a few moments today to identify an area of your life where you may be resisting God's direction. Surrender it to Him in prayer and commit to following His Word, even when it is difficult.
"The fear of man bringeth a snare: But whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe." — Proverbs 29:25
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This Week's Radio Program
Week Eighteen • May 3, 2026
Trusting God With Tomorrow (Pt. 3)
In this final part of the message, “Trusting God with Tomorrow,” we are brought face to face with a powerful truth from Scripture—while we often plan our days and assume the future, the Bible teaches us that life is fragile, uncertain, and completely in God’s hands. As James reminds us, our life is “even a vapour” that appears for a little time and then vanishes away . The issue is not planning, but planning without God—living as though we are in control of what only God knows.
This message walks through the heart of biblical trust: having a proper perspective of tomorrow, a humble posture before God today, and a surrendered plan that says, “If the Lord will.” Whether facing uncertainty, fear, or the illusion of control, we are called to draw near to God, rest in His care, and trust that His will is good, even when tomorrow is unknown. Because Christ has risen, our future is secure—not in our plans, but in His perfect hands.
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