Purpose And Power Of Authority (32 page)

Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. (Titus 1:7–9)

Authority Is Not a Matter of Age but Position

To exercise authority in the church, a person must be mature in his faith and lifestyle, yet age—whether someone is older or younger than you are—does not disqualify that person from being your authority in the church if God has placed him there. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). We don’t submit to people because of their ages but because of their positions.

Moses’ older sister, Miriam, had a problem submitting to position. She was jealous of Moses’ authority, even though she had been granted authority, as well. (See Micah 6:4.) When she stepped out of order by criticizing Moses’ leadership (along with Aaron, Moses’ brother), God was angry with her, but Moses, her authority, intervened and saved her life. (This is still another instance of how authority will protect, preserve, keep, and save you.) Miriam underwent discipline, however, because she was a visible authority figure among the people, and so that she would learn to understand the nature of God’s authority. (See Numbers 12:1–15.)

Remember that when Jesus submitted to John, He said, in effect, “It is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Yet, some people who are under a younger pastor might think, Me, submit to him? I’m old enough to be his father! That may be true, but your submission to him is proper to “fulfill all righteousness,” because he is the pastor.

I have been the pastor of my siblings who are older than I am. That doesn’t mean I am better than they are. It is a matter of position, and it can be a difficult position to be in because they know me better than almost anyone else! Their submission to me as their pastor has been a revelation of their understanding of order. They know they can’t pastor themselves.

God placed in the body of Christ apostles, evangelists, prophets, pastors, and teachers to instruct and guide His people. Whoever wants to be spiritually trained has to find those who are functioning in these ministry gifts. If the apostle, evangelist, prophet, pastor, or teacher happens to be someone who is younger or older than you are, then, again, the position is more important than the person. We need to follow the authority in our lives, for the sake of righteousness.

Responsibilities of Church Members

Paul wrote to Titus, “Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise [“disregard” nasb] you” (Titus 2:15).

Unfortunately, there seems to be much disregarding and despising of authority going on in churches today. The culture of democracy that had led to an attitude of individualism in other realms also gravitates against authority in the realm of the church. I don’t think that the average Christian understands the nature of authority. The same unproductive criticism of governmental leaders we talked about in the previous section is leveled at leaders in the church, as well. Because of this, people verbally abuse and disrespect their pastors, criticize church leaders behind their backs, close their eyes to the sound instruction and teaching of the Word of God, and fail to pay their leaders a decent wage for their service.

Another reason people disregard authority in the church is that many churches have “overdosed” on the concept of grace at the expense of obedience. Grace has been used as an excuse by people to ignore the instruction of pastors and teachers that calls them to align their lives with God’s principles and laws.

God’s grace is real, wonderful, and necessary for us. We couldn’t receive His forgiveness and new life through the Authorized Dealer without it. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Yet, as Paul said, we are not to treat God’s grace lightly: “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (Romans 6:1–2).

Instead, members of the church are to respect and honor their leaders and to submit to their urgings and warnings about living according to the nature of God:

Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13)

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” (1 Timothy 5:17–18)

Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.(Hebrews 13:17)

Women in Authority in the Church

The last point I would like to discuss in the realm of the church relates to a question that is still controversial in many people’s minds: Should women be in leadership positions? This issue is too broad to discuss in depth in the context of this book, so I will give you what I believe are important guidelines in relation to authority for women who are serving as pastors and teachers.4

Based on the order of authority outlined in the above section “The Realm of the Family,” in which we saw that the male was created first and the female was created from the male, I believe that an unmarried female pastor or teacher should find a male authority who will serve as her covering and protection, and as the one to whom she is accountable as an authority figure herself. Healing evangelist Kathryn Kuhlman had a powerful ministry, but when she stood up to minister, she always told her audience who her pastor was, placing herself under his authority for her ministry. She voluntarily submitted to him as her covering.

For a woman who is a pastor or teacher and who is also married, it is important that she be submitted to her husband and not be operating outside of their relationship of authority as husband and wife. She should also have a female accountability partner or an accountability group to which she belongs within the ministry setting, but her first priority in keeping a proper authority relationship before God would be her relationships with God and her husband.

In chapters 11 and 12 of this book, the discussions of authority, mentorship, and submission give a number of practical principles and guidelines that can be particularly applied to the realm of business, and I suggest that you review those chapters with this realm in mind, as well.

Honest Transactions

Those who own and run businesses, and the consumers who use their services and buy their products, must treat one another fairly and honestly.

The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.(Proverbs 11:1–4)

The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. The truly righteous man attains life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death.(Proverbs 11:18–19)

Honest scales and balances are from the Lord; all the weights in the bag are of his making.…The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. (Proverbs 16:11, 17–19)

Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.(Colossians 3:17)

Relationships between Employers and Employees

Employers and employees, in the same way, must treat one another justly. The following are Scriptures that originally referred to the relationships between slaves and masters, but they also teach us vital truths for the workplace. See if you recognize these principles and guidelines in the below Scriptures: (1) God is our Ultimate Authority, who will reward our work as it is done for Him; (2) we should be diligent and sincere in our work, whether anyone is watching us or not; (3) we need to treat one another with respect and kindness; (4) employers must provide proper working conditions and pay for their employees; (5) employees must not steal from or cheat their employers but put in a good day’s work; (6) we are to respect the position of someone in an authority role.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.…Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.(Colossians 3:23–24; 4:1)

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.(Ephesians 6:5–9)

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. (Colossians 3:22)

Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.(Titus 2:9–14)

All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them.(1 Timothy 6:1–2)

Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.(1 Peter 2:18–20)

If we read, study, and apply the scriptural principles in this chapter to all the major realms of human life, we will make great strides toward understanding authority and how it is meant to function on the earth. We will also see more clearly how to restore the structures of order and peace in our families, communities, nations, and world.

Epilogue

In chapter 2, I wrote that I like to call genuine authority the “beautiful principle” because, contrary to false authority, it’s not about “lording it over” others. Instead, it is a means of providing the resources, protection, refreshment, growth, accomplishment, fulfillment, and satisfaction we all need in life.

The Authorized Dealer, Jesus Christ, is the only One who can restore our relationship with the Creator, lead us to our personal authority, enable us to live in collaboration with others, and reestablish true authority in the world. He does this as we recognize His authority in our lives and as we learn about Him and His ways. Jesus said,

All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:27–30, emphasis added)

Jesus’ invitation highlights the nature of God’s authority and what we can receive from Him. A yoke is traditionally “a wooden bar or frame by which two draft animals (as oxen) are joined at the heads or necks for working together.” Most people consider a yoke to represent something confining and oppressive. They are weary and burdened in life, and they think that running away from authority is the answer.

Yet Christ invites us to experience a different kind of yoke, one that joins us to Him in the shared purpose of fulfilling God’s plans for us and for the world. Our being joined to Him allows us to walk through life with a sure step as He guides us. His yoke of authority brings spiritual and personal “rest” because, by it, we become who we were meant to be, and we are able to do what we were born to do in life.