Misused Authority

 Matthew 23-25 

“Everything they do is done for men to see:’…’Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.’”

Matthew 23:5, 25

The temptation for those in leadership in the Church is to find identity in positions, rather than in Christ’s love and grace. Some have said the modern Pharisees and teachers of the law are the Evangelicals. We defend the inerrancy of Scripture, but selectively practice what it says. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and teachers of the law for their greed and self-indulgence. They used their positions, influence, and authority for self-enrichment and status. We, too, can fall into the same pattern when the Church becomes an institution focused on spectator/performance, rather than on a missional movement. When Jesus is our leader and we are all disciples who live on mission, there is less room for positional authority or pride.

As servants of Christ, will we humble ourselves to refocus on Jesus and his mission?

“Lord Jesus, I repent of my greed and self-indulgence. I humble myself before you, for your glory.”