Introduction
I’ve been rereading the outstanding book, Relational Authority: Authentic Leadership, written a few years back by my friend, Clay Nash. I had the privilege of writing the foreword for this insightful book. Clay effectively points out that effective leadership, whether in the home, a business, a church, or a nation, requires authority; for authority to be honored from the heart and be truly life-giving, it must be relational. We will follow the person we trust, and trust the person we know.
In a world where authority is often abused, it’s essential that we understand the guiding principles through which God intended it to operate. Whether it be healing the sick and casting out devils, overseeing our homes and families, running a church, operating a business, or managing a city, we must understand how God intended for authority to function. Also, to follow authority confidently, we must understand its boundaries and guidelines. I’m going to share just a few highlights from Clay’s book today and tomorrow, although I will barely scratch the surface. You would be wise to pick up this book. Today’s title is:
Relational Authority: Authentic Leadership, Part 1
Authority is powerful. Without it, nothing would ever get done. Authority is the ability to influence things, including people. The first thing God did after He made man was to give them a job. To get that job done, He gave them authority. Notice in Genesis that God brought all the animals to Adam to see what he would name them. Obviously, Adam had the authority to do what God called him to do.
Everything about God is filled with authority. His love is filled with authority. His correction is filled with authority. His grace is filled with authority. Anything God commissions receives a portion of His authority. When God says to do something, the authority to accomplish it is delegated from Him:
“God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply: fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’” (Genesis 1:28)
By virtue of the fact that God told man to fill the earth and subdue it, we can understand that man was also given the authority to accomplish this great commission. We can see clearly the importance of authority when we realize that a large part of what mankind lost in the fall was his God-given authority. This is why Jesus’ great triumph was in regaining authority - the authority originally given to man. Look at what scripture says about Jesus:
“Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, ‘What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.’” (Mark 1:27)
“Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.” (Luke 9:1)
One of the last things Jesus spoke on earth to His disciples before ascending to heaven signified the key aspect of His ministry:
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you...’” (Matthew 28:18-20)
Notice the connection between Jesus’ declaration of authority and the clear mandate to His disciples, “Go therefore…” The disciples received authority, and they were sent out.
[Clay thoroughly addresses the subject of illegitimate authority. Here are a few comments.]
Yes, authority has been mishandled, misunderstood, and mistaken throughout the Body of Christ. In my thirty [now forty plus] plus years in the Lord’s ministry, I have seen the rich fruit of authentic authority, the ravages of lifeless authority, and everything in between. I have also seen how often authority is abused in the hierarchy of church government.
Legitimate authentic authority must be discerned from false authority. False authority is not from God, nor does it serve God. It comes from the enemy, and in the long run, it seeks to destroy the things of God. John told us to try the spirits. When someone in our midst is prophesying - speaking words purported to be from God - I teach my people to sense the spirit in which the message is given. The spirit is more important than the words. Before we can allow someone’s spiritual energy to touch ours, we had better know the well from which they are drawing.
But authority is our friend if we understand how to operate in it. Remember: authentic authority gets things done. It works together with us for our good. It propels us into greater works and richer lives. It is what Jesus came to earth to give us.
[Clay points out the critical fact that those in authority are called to help us as servants.] It can often be a far stretch to see those in authority as servants, yet that is exactly what we read in Romans 13:
“For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.” (Romans 13:4)
The key here is in accepting a better translation of the word minister in this passage. The word actually means servant. Whoever bears authority in your life is also a servant of God sent to help you. The policeman who gave me my first ticket was certainly not apologetic for the service he was providing, but in the long run, he may very well have saved my young, reckless life.
My Finishing Comments What a different world it would be if everyone saw leadership authority as a responsibility to serve. Families would be healthier, churches would be stronger, businesses would be more productive, and nations would be more prosperous. Tomorrow, I’m going to share with you nine important traits regarding excellence in leadership, as outlined by Clay in his book.
Pray with me:
Father, in a power-hungry and money-hungry world, filled with leaders trying to satisfy their illegitimate cravings, people are looking for servant-motivated individuals. Jesus modeled this for us, and clearly said that true greatness in His kingdom required servanthood. Yet, it seems that so often the higher people climb the ladder of influence and power, the more they want to be served rather than serve.
Teach us Your ways, for it is in Your precepts that we find true wisdom with which to lead. Work into us Your nature of humility that seeks to advance and serve others, not ourselves. Give us more leaders in our government who manifest this, and also in the church, as we begin mentoring the great harvest you are bringing into the Kingdom. Those who are saved will need humble and wise leaders to follow.
Heal those who have been abused by authority and remove from them their fear. Give them the ability to trust once again. Place them in safe environments where they can receive help, grow, and safely develop their gifts. We pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Our decree:
We decree that the coming revival will be led by servant-hearted leaders, which will generate great authority, power, and fruitfulness.
Click on the link below to watch the full video.
Today’s post was taken from the book Relationship Authority, Authentic Leadership, written by Clay Nash. You can learn more about Clay at ClayNash.org.