Upper Loft Meditation – 2 Corinthians

“I’m writing this to you now so that when I come I won’t have to say another word on the subject. The authority the Master gave me is for putting people together, not taking them apart. I want to get on with it, and not spend time on reprimands.” (MSG) – 2 Corinthians 13:10 This past weekend I began reading a book on the history of the English settlement of Jamestown in Virginia back in the 1600s. The leadership style of Captain John Smith, hard driving and desirous of personal achievement, was a stark contrast to the leadership style I was reading about in another book. I also have been reading through 2 Corinthians, examining the leadership examples that come from Paul.

If you exercise leadership among other believers, your family, or co-workers, I encourage you to carefully study Paul’s view of his own authority. Like Captain John Smith and many of us, Paul liked to be in charge, and he felt frustrated when people failed to follow his lead, as the Corinthians had. As an apostle, he had spiritual authority over them, which at times led him to deal severely with them.

But it is important to notice how Paul exercised his authority, especially as he grew older in the faith. Unlike Captain John Smith, Paul didn’t lord it over others or try to use his authority for personal advantage. Nor did he abuse his power by using it to work out his own anger. Instead, he recognized that spiritual authority is given “for edification and not for destruction”, for building others up, not for tearing them down.

Is that how we use our position and authority? Are we more like Captain John Smith, just trying to survive a difficult situation? Do we exercise leadership in order to accomplish the best interests of those who follow us? As they carry out our directives, are they built up in Christ, or torn down?

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