Week 6 | Spiritual Authority | Chris

We've already learned about how to follow authority over the past few weeks so it only makes sense to learn about what is expected from authority figures.  Spiritual authority clearly states that delegated authoritative figures should have three characteristics.  First, he must realize that all authority belongs to God and comes from God.  All decisions to be made must be of Gods liking and made as if God himself made that decision.  i believe that under these circumstances it must be a lot of pressure put on leaders that are aware of Gods authority.  But at the same time, a good leader will have complete connection with God and know very well the right decisions to make since they are fully under Gods authority.  Second, the delegated authority must know how to ignore his logic and his own mind and accept Gods authority.  Thirdly, delegated authority must always be in close relationship with God.

The story of Moses becoming a delegated authority even though he was very meek was a very humbling one.  It really reminds me to stay humble and obedient to God.  "The person least likely to be given authority is often the very one who considers himself an authority.  Likewise, the more authority a person thinks he has, the less he actually does have".  This means that being a leader doesn't mean you should show it off and prove yourself.  Leading and being under Gods authority will naturally make leaders of people who are chosen to transmit Gods authority through themselves.  "The moment you justify yourself before a person, he becomes your judge. As soon as you try to explain, you are fallen before him."  This is one of my favorite lines in the reading.  It brings up the point that decisions made without full certainty under Gods authority will be judged, but shouldn't have to be explained or downgraded.  A man's values are not greater than God's so God's decsions do not have to be explained nor vindicated.  It really just awes me at the clarity and absoluteness that God is describes as in this book.  I'm learning that he's so reliable and consistent, and that his values are very very solid.  It'slike he's a morally perfect and value-centered God that cannot be wrong, and it's always great to follow and get to know someone like that.

When Moses fell to the ground while being challenged by two hundred and fifty leader, I was very surprised at how he reacted.  At first I was shocked that he fell, I mistook it as a sign of weakness to the challenge.  But as soon as he started speaking, everything became clear.  "Jehovah will show who are his, and who is holy, and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he shall choose will he cause to come near unto him".  Moses did not need to defend himself nor God of any of the slander and rebellion going on.  He left God to judge and proved himself, although not trying to, as a person worth of God's delegated authority.