{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Reflections","title":"Thursday of the Twentieth Week After Trinity","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":393,"description":"October 22, 2026\n\nToday's Reading: Catechism: Table of duties: of civil government\nDaily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 21:1-23; Deuteronomy 22:1-24:9; Matthew 16:1-12\n\n“…there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Romans 13:1)\n\nIn the Name + of Jesus. Amen.\n\nWhat’s the image you get in your mind when you think of “power”? Government? Waterfalls? Electric mixers? What about “authority”? A judge’s gavel? Police officers? Parents?\n\nMaking a careful distinction between “power” and “authority” is becoming more and more important as we consider how the church is supposed to interact with the state, that is, the government. Here’s a simple way to tell them apart: “power” has to do with the ability to do something, while “authority” has to do with the right to do something. An easy illustration of this is found in confession and Absolution. Your pastor is a poor, miserable sinner just like you—he doesn’t have the power to forgive sins! But he has been given the authority to forgive sins on Jesus’ behalf: “by virtue of my office…in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ…”\n\nWhen it comes to God’s Gift of government, it is important to keep in mind the distinction between power and authority. Remember that all earthly governance derives its authority from God Himself. And because we recognize that governing authority comes from God, we as Christians are called upon to be good citizens of our earthly nations. \n\nIt’s worth being aware of where our government’s authority ends and where the power plays of sinful men begin. It's good to keep in mind that, while our government may have the power to make laws and carry out orders which contradict the Scriptures, no earthly governance has the authority to redefine God or His Word, nor indeed to tell you, dear Christian, what you must or must not believe. It’s worth knowing the contents of our Constitution and its amendments. But above all else, it’s...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/P3eUvssXYVZBQK4BZg1UEKstUh8zuVz_CoZCK6YjRSs/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzI1MTcyLzE3MDI0/Mjg1MzAtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}