Authority is a position of responsibility and not automatically attached or associated with a place of power. Responsibility being the optimum word related with authority. First and foremost, the person or institution in the position must always be mindful of, and bare a responsibility to those who are subject to them! In addition, authority is given or earned, and is by agreement between the person(s) that holds authority and the person(s) under authority. Lastly, authority carries a scope or range that defines its nature. Without the presence of any one of these, what is referred to as authority is something else altogether. Therefore, in order for real authority to exist it has to associate with the following elements:
AUTHORITY IS A RESPONSIBILITY
AUTHORITY IS BY AGREEMENT
AUTHORITY IS ALWAYS DEFINED
Now in the case of leadership, such as a monarchy or other political government; the range or scope can be vast or unlimited. This however is seldom the case and usually has its limitations. Conversely, there may also be a granting of power with the position, but it too is by agreement, is defined, and never automatic.
1 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV) Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
If we consider these, examples some clarity is given to the definition, this is how it adds up.
Sovereign Ruler:
Their authority is derived as a condition or definition of the position, which should be by agreement, with responsibility to their subjects; and not due to any force or strength, no matter how great.
Teacher:
Holds authority by agreement of qualifications for the position, with responsibility limited to the scope of the task.
Lord of the manor:
Has authority due to responsibility as property owner, as agreed and defined in the property rights.
Caretaker:
Is given authority in their qualification for upkeep, with responsibility limited to the range of duty.
In all cases of authority the primary focus is on responsibility.
1 Corinthians 7:24 (NIV) Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
Outside the parameters of the definition, authority deteriorates into domination and abuse. Without an agreement or any defined range, it most certainly, becomes manipulation. When you remove the optimum element of responsibility, it most always escalates into something far worse than mere domination. Apart from the well documented examples from history, like Hitler’s Mein Kampf, and the Holocaust; or the 1890 Sioux massacre at Wounded Knee, by U.S. militia. We could site recent events such as September 11th, and other terrorist’s attacks. All show clearly the loss of authority, or mans attempt to manipulate it for selfishly motivated reasons.
Philippians 2:3 (NIV) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
James 3:13-17 (NIV)Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Selfish ambition leads to disorder and every evil practice. James goes on to point out that such things are earthly and from Satan, driven in us by bitter envy. Those of us who are believers should know this and should work as much as possible to act accordingly. Even if you don’t believe, you still must agree that such practice does nothing to foster peace and harmony. If you can admit that, then you should also admit that to continue in such things does nothing that is for the good. Could it be that mankind has allowed his attention to be captured, influenced as it were, by the things of this world?
Romans 12:2 (NIV) Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Whatever the will of God is, which is dependent on your faith and viewpoint; we know from Paul that it is GOOD, PLEASING, and PERFECT.
Now watch this and pay close attention.
Remember the three elements necessary for any real authority, the ones that must be present…
AUTHORITY IS A RESPONSIBILITY
AUTHORITY IS BY AGREEMENT
AUTHORITY IS ALWAYS DEFINED
Watch how the Will of God fits into this in such a wonderful way.
AUTHORITY IS A RESPONSIBILITY
That is
THE GOOD… of All CONCERNED
AUTHORITY IS BY AGREEMENT
That is
PLEASING… to All INVOLVED
AUTHORITY FROM GOD IS PERFECT
That is
THE BEST… for ALL
In the Spirit 