authoritative
“The reason was that He taught with authority and not like their scribes.” —Matthew 7:29
The religious leaders of Jesus’ day did not teach with authority as He did. They informed, educated, and enlightened people, but they didn’t always expect the people to respond and obey (see e.g. Jn 7:49). Jesus did. He warned us not to give lip-service to God’s Word and nullify the commandments (Mt 15:3-8). Jesus said that if we didn’t hear His words and put them into practice, our lives would collapse (Mt 7:26-27). He clearly expected us to be doers of the Word (Jas 1:22). He taught with authority, and He’s the same today (Heb 13:8).
When Jesus does anything, He does it as Lord, and the nature of lordship is to command and call for obedience. Look at the readings in the previous few pages of this book. Did you take Jesus at His Word? Did you accept Him as Lord? Did you respond to Jesus’ authority with obedience and submission? What matters most is not how much of the Bible we know, but how much of it we obey. It’s not those who say “Lord, Lord” but those who obey “Lord, Lord” that will enter God’s kingdom (Mt 7:21).
Prayer: Lord, I submit my life and will to You.
Promise: “The Lord has heard you, God has answered you.” —Gn 16:11
Praise: When Pete fully accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, he expressed this by moving out of his girlfriend’s apartment.
Reference: (Follow the authoritative teachings in the Bible. To help you read the Bible every day, order, listen to, or download the following series on our website: Overview of the Bible starting with AV 10A-1 or V 10A; 15 Minute Bible Teaching starting with AV 700; and/or An Introduction to each Book of the Bible starting with AV 21-1 or V 21.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from June 1, 2025, through July 31, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio September 25, 2024"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.