2 Corinthians 10: Leadership and Authority

Many in the church of Corinth are grumbling about Paul’s leading, but is Paul the problem or is it the way that some react to his authority? Paul challenges them by justifying his authority through his relationship with the church, and through boasting in God and not in his own authority.

This challenges us to look at the way we respond to authority. We all fall under the authority of someone else and we must always check our attitude towards them. Romans 13:1 reads, “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.” What is your attitude toward President Elect Obama? For some of you this will be easy as you are supporters of Obama. This may be a hard test for others, but Paul tells us Obama is in authority by God’s choosing. Do you respect our next president’s position of leadership? Do you wish him success? This may give you some insight into your attitude toward authority.

What about the work place, do you honor your boss’s authority? There was obviously some “talk” that made its way back to Paul that he addresses in this chapter. Would your boss hear, through the grapevine, that you were speaking inappropriately about his authority? We need to guard our attitude toward those in authority over us.

Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.” How do you react when you are challenged by what a spiritual leader says? Do you aggressively confront and push back at the teaching or do you first ponder and pray about what you have been challenged with?

Our old life leaves a residual sin nature that makes us want to take God’s rightful place. We don’t naturally want to submit to or honor those in authority. We desire to be our own authority and this is what we need to guard against. Protect your attitude towards those in authority in government, at the work place and in your spiritual life; this would certainly be for your benefit.

Posted By Jim