Responsibilities of Authority

“Know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And…esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake.”   I Thessalonians 5:12-13a

To grow in leadership, you must understand authority.  Luke 7:6 tells about the Roman centurion who was IN authority, while Luke 7:8 says that same centurion was UNDER authority.

The responsibilities of spiritual persons IN authority are listed in Hebrews 13:17…they “watch for your souls, as they that must give account”…and in I Peter 5:2-3 they “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples of the flock”…and I Timothy 5:20 says they must rebuke sin before everyone and bring correction to God’s people.

The responsibilities of spiritual persons UNDER authority also are listed in Hebrews 13:17…”obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves”…and in I Timothy 2:2a…pray and give thanks “For kings, and for all that are in authority…”

The only time when you are not required to obey authority is when that authority requires an act that is contrary to Scripture or physically endangers your life.

PRAY: “Father, give me the grace to be a willing servant to those in authority over me and help me to lead with godly, loving authority all those under my charge.  Amen.”