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Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Moral authority determines your level of influence.

I find it fascinating that Jesus was the most influential person of all times, yet he never held a religious or political position. He was the most influential person of all times, yet his ministry lasted only three years and was limited to a twenty-five mile circumference. How is it that this man who walked the earth over two thousand years ago continues to influence billions of people worldwide?

Philippians 2:5-8 NIV

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death even death on a cross!

When Jesus came to our world, his influence was not the product of his positional authority. He did not show up saying: I am God almighty! Now everyone must do as I say. Instead, he made himself nothing, taking on our human nature, he became our servant and then died on the cross in our place. When Jesus came to our world, he had to choose between positional authority and moral authority; Jesus chose moral authority.

The people who most influence our lives have moral authority.

Your position, title, and status gives you authority over certain people. However, it is your credibility that gives you influence over them. Positional authority gives you power, but moral authority, which is the by-product of being a person of integrity, gives you something far greater, it gives you influence.