How should authority be used?

Philippians 2:3-7Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.

Authority should be used to lead and serve others. Leadership involves selfless service.

Matthew 8:8-10The officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!”

The centurion displayed humility and faith in his understanding of authority. He knew both the power and the limitations of his authority. He did not presume that because he held a position of authority in the military that he could order Jesus around. He humbled himself in order to get help for his own servant. This understanding of authority does not demand compliance, but instead wins commitment. We should use our authority for the sake of serving others.