The police plaque, the judge’s hammer, the doctor’s white coat or the door with a name and a title. These are just some of the symbols of people who exercise authority in our lives. But there is a big difference between having authority and having influence. We obey people in positions of authority because we have to, but we follow people of influence because we want to.

Some people may have authority in our lives, but little or no influence. The people who influence our lives are those whose way of life matches their values. Whose words and actions are one and the same. We do not respect these people because of their positions, we respect them because of who they are. They have moral authority. Unfortunately in our culture, in our homes, in the workplace, in politics and even in the church, there are many people who have positional authority, but few people have moral authority.

People were amazed at his teaching, because he imparted it as one who has authority and not as teachers of the law. – Mark 1:22 NIV

Whether they agree with Him or not, no one has had more influence in the world than Jesus. The interesting thing is that He did not influence the world because of his position; He never had a political or religious title as did the teachers of the law. They carried the labels with their names, they had the office on the corner and they stopped at the podium to give lectures. But not Jesus, although he was the Son of God, the apostle Paul says he never took advantage of his position. The authority of the teachers of the law came from their position. The only problem was that they had little credibility, because their words did not match their actions. The authority of Jesus came from his credibility, the credibility that is gained when your words match your actions.

Your moral authority will determine the degree of influence you will have in the lives of others. It’s not the position you may have as a parent, big brother, boss, or department manager. Your position can only allow you a temporary and limited authority, but not a real influence. If people can’t respect you, your title is of little importance. But if people can respect you, even when they don’t agree with you, it’s because you have gained moral authority, the credibility that a person gains when their words match their actions.

Dear Jesus, what an important example you left me, that even though you were the Son of God you never took advantage of your position. Quite the opposite. Help me to be more and more a person of influence in the life of others, that through my words matching my actions I may earn credibility, because it’s the only way I’ll be able to influence them to bring them closer to You. Thank you for teaching me this great truth.