Understanding Authority (Part 2)

Bishop Riggen continues the series 'Understanding Authority' from Romans 13, emphasizing that submission to God's authority is essential for the kingdom of God to grow and prosper. He clarifies that the Greek word 'exousia' in this passage means authority, not power (dunamis). God possesses sole authority, which operates through willful submission, while Satan's authority is based on usurpation through disobedience. Using the Garden of Eden narrative, he explains God placed the tree of knowledge of good and evil to test obedience—disobedience moves a person from God's kingdom to Satan's realm. The serpent's attack on Eve questioned whether God truly spoke, undermining her submission to God's word delivered through Adam. Eve added 'do not touch it' as a protective standard, but the serpent tempted her to reject authority. God's judgments after the fall reinforced authority: the woman would be under her husband's rule, and humanity would serve laboriously. The curse reflected the need for stricter obedience, not leniency. Bishop Riggen stresses that God desires heart-obedience, not mere intellectual knowledge of right and wrong. The Holy Ghost writes God's law on hearts, as symbolized by Pentecost. He concludes by citing 2 Corinthians 10:5, urging believers to cast down thoughts that exalt themselves against God and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, renewing minds through the Spirit.