Ephesians 6: 1-9

Summary: Authority can be a very difficult reality…both for those under authority and those in authority.  And especially when compared to many other civilizations and cultures, 21st century North America doesn’t train us to have a very high view of authority.  But authority is precious and important enough to God to have an entire commandment devoted to it.  It’s his will not only that authority should exist, but that we should thrive as we live in a world with distinctions in authority.  Ephesians 6 makes clear that the commandment speaks to those under as well as those in authority (i.e. slaves and masters, children and parents).  And though human authorities are always imperfect and sometimes downright corrupt, God says we honour him as we honour our parents and all those in authority over us.