Authority vs. Submission

.... For the previous three postings we’ve discussed how all authority belongs to Jesus alone, and how He never delegates authority over Christians to their church leaders (Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 5:23). So then, how would we describe the relationship between the average Christian and the leaders who are called to serve them? Their true relationship is based on the Christian's submission rather than the leader's authority. And the underlying difference between the two models is stark:
.

.... Authority, in it’s most basic form, is designed to impose obedience. It is a coercive mechanism that operates by the threat of force, and will punish by force if neccesary. Submission, on the other hand, is a bond of good will that is freely given; it is derived from humility, honor, trust and respect toward another person who may or may not be superior to them. As such, submission can be mutual, so that human authority need never enter the picture at all:

.... "Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’."

(1 Peter 5:5)

and again,

.
.... ". . . submitting to one another in the fear of God."

(Ephesians 5:21)

.... For this submission to be complete, we should understand a little more about why it is deserved. Christian leaders are said to rule over us, not by authority, as lords over us, but by their own Christ-like example in the fear of God:

.... "The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

(1 Peter 5:1-5)

.... For example, let’s say that a younger person is behaving in a disorderly way. The Christian leader would approach them with humility to speak about it. "It is to your Master, Jesus, that you must stand or fall; but based on how your conduct is viewed by His word, I must tell you that right now your standing is not good before Him." (Romans 14:4). Furthermore he might tell him:

.
.... "The Lord commands us to ‘Exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today".’ and that is what I am doing. It is my duty to the Lord, and also to you if I really do care about you." (Hebrews 3:13). "See, just as I’ve submitted myself to the Lord to do His will, I plead with you to do the same and submit yourself to Him, that you may be blameless before Him." In this way the Christian leader both comes alongside him on behalf of the Lord (rather than coming in between them,) and he leads by his own example.

.
.... This concludes our discussion of proper leadership; but in order to address the whole scope of the situation more fully we will begin, in the next posting, to discuss some different forms of leadership abuse.

To proceed to the next lesson, click here

Daily Bible Reading: Colossians 4