Authority. The mere mention (or typing) of the word makes one cringe. Authority is lauded by those who have it and cursed by those who are subject to it yet it's God's way of keeping things decent and in order. You wanna know the biggest headache in the body of Christ? It's not those who don't do anything and it's not those who serve under authority. It's those who serve but not subject to authority. I used to shun titles and offices saying things like, "God is my authority. All are equal in grace for we are ALL kings and priests unto God. Therefore I'll serve Him as He directs and I don't need a title to do that." I had a hard time with people calling me 'pastor' and in some ways, I still do. Ultimately though that entire line of thinking was rooted in the rocky soil of pride. I was saying that I want the satisfaction of serving God without the responsibility. It's truly amazing how humiility and pride are often indistinguishable from one another. Though seemingly supported by Scripture, I realized that what I was saying was that to acknowledge an office meant that I was in subjection to authority and therefore had to 'submit' to it. Yet another word that makes me cringe. My anarchist nature dislikes anything that has the potential to abuse and since abuse is commonly associated with those in authority we tend to write off all authority as abusive with catch phrases like, "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely". The truth is that abuse cannot be abuse unless it is mistreatment from one in authority. A servant may harrass a master but we would call it insubortination. A master may harrass a servant but we would call it abuse. The treatment is the same but the position of the giver and receiver is what defines that treatment. Likewise the office is vital for it defines the limits of the authority. For example, if a nurse checks your prostate that's ok. But if your dentist checks your prostate that's another thing all together. The office and title defines the limits. So take care of your view of authority and those to whom it has been given for ultimately authority comes from God and in it's proper context, is a wonderful thing. Proverbs 29:2 says, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn." Furthermore an understanding of authority is a sign of strong faith. Matthew 8:9-10 tells the story of the centurion who asked Jesus to simply speak and the servant would be healed for he understood that when one with authority speaks, things happen. Jesus says in verse 10, "I have not found so great faith, not in all Israel." A gentile got it for he had a correct perspective of authority but those who had been abused for so long (Israel) by those in authority (Romans) were so hostile to it that their very perspective of Jesus Himself was wrong. Ultimately I have come to realize that Satan attacks authority relentlessly for authority is not for destruction but for edification of the body. In 2nd Corinthians 10:8 Paul writes, "...I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord has given us for edification, and not for your destruction..." Finally, operating under authority opens up God's blessing and protection for without that submission you're not even recognized. Acts 19:14 tells the story of the sons of Sceva who tried to cast out a demon and the demon says, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" and proceeds to beat them senseless. Those who try to serve God apart from title, office, submission, and authority are often surprised that they aren't recognized. But without that you're about as effective for the kingdom as a mime in the dark. The Bible says, "Submit yourself to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you." If you want power and faith you have to get it from the only one qualified to give it and that is the One from whom all authority flows. Let it flow to and through you this week.