Our Source of Moral Authority

It is not unusual for a Christian parent with young children to anticipate a lack of moral authority to direct his children away from behavior that he himself participated in prior to his becoming a Christian. Activities such as pre-marital sex, illicit drug use, drunkenness, or theft, destruction of property, or brawling, are often part of a life not governed by Christ. Consequently, the parent is concerned that when the child reaches an age when such temptations begin to present themselves, he cannot expect compliance because he himself has been a transgressor. A common tactic is to keep previous sin concealed. 

Unfortunately, that option is not available for the Christian trying to persuade an old friend with whom he has a shared history. As far as the old friend is concerned the Christian has no moral authority to tell him to repent because he knows he’s done the same things.

What is the source of our moral authority in such instances? The apostle Paul’s testimony from the opening words of First Timothy is a resource. Despite his profoundly sinful past, Paul did not hesitate to say what needed to be said, nor he did doubt his right to expect compliance. Where lay his confidence? First was his calling. God had tasked him to preach, of this he had no doubt. Second, contrary to the tactic of concealing sin alluded to above, he acknowledged it. Such humility lends credibility, he knows what it’s like to be caught up in sin, and he knows what it’s like to be set free. Third was his example, not only of his conversion but his progress in righteousness. He was pursuing the life he called others to live. Lastly, his gratitude toward God was unbounded, evident in his burst of praise at the end of his confession.

These same resources are available to us. We are all called to make the gospel known. We all have cause for humility and can admit it. We all can testify to God’s transforming power graciously at work in our lives. And we all can give him the glory for his merciful salvation. Bolstered by these resources we can lovingly appeal to others to embrace the reality that has been so kindly revealed to us. We need not lack confidence, we need not fear. There is no guarantee that the ones we are pleading with will listen, but we can make every effort, by word and deed, to make the beauty of the gospel known.