Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 7:29, where we read these words:
" . . . for He [Jesus] taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."All truly-called church ministers of the gospel are commanded by God Himself to preach and teach "with all authority," as per this verse above, and Titus 2:15. Christ and His pastors (elders) are the only ones on the earth uniquely vested with divine authority to teach the world the truth about the most impor-tant things—particularly those things that relate to the gospel of grace.
The scribes were weak, vacillating, and tentative. Jesus was strong, certain, and sure. True Christians actually long for loving, honest, authoritative preaching; but false Christians cannot stand it. In truth, it is to the advantage of *all* people everywhere that the gospel of Jesus’ grace goes forth clearly and boldly.
[Puritan quote of the day: "But yet the greater instruments the Lord raises up for His glory, the greater service He calls them unto, the greater things may we hope He intends for His church.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Excel-lency of a Gracious Spirit"]
