I am amazed at the assumed authority that is in the world. The title or position that is held seems to give this sense of entitled “power” over others and situations.
“10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.” — John 14:10 (ESV)
There is/was even a sense that Jesus was the one with all of the power and authority, and He was sure to point out that even as Christ, He was not alone in authority. It was the Father in Him that held the authority. Jesus would speak and act at the discretion of God in all that He did.
We are all accountable to another, regardless of the title or position held. The only one who acts on and has own authority is God. He is the authority in all things.
We still should submit to those in authority. It is my role to be subordinate to those above me. But, it is also their role to be a servant to me and do the work according to those to which they yield authority (those above them). Those in title or position are to be servants of those beneath them. Jesus washed the feet of the disciples in the upper room to demonstrate His servant-hood to them. He did not shun from the responsibility to care for them even if/when it meant stooping to something that the least of the servants in a household would be the only one to do.
I am a servant of God, regardless of my title or position. It is my duty to serve Him and in doing so serve others. I am no better than those I am in contact with here in this world. I am only a servant of God and shall serve as a servant of others.
How do you act in places where your title or position is above others? Are you one to take advantage of that title or position to exert your authority? What if you were to serve others and not use your title or position?
Trevor's Thoughts 