II Corinthians 1:24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
Authority: For You or Others?
I have noticed at my house that each of my kids likes to be in control, to dominate. Whether it is the controls to a video game, the remote control, or “the spot” on the couch, they want to be the one to be in control. I have also noticed that I like to dominate. I want to be in control. Now to some extent each of us is responsible in some way, but there is a difference in motivation between seeing one’s self as being responsible and seeing one’s self as being the domineering and dominating person in the world.
Paul the apostle was just that, an apostle. In II Corinthians 1:1 the first three words are “Paul, an apostle.” Paul had more authority than you or I have. Paul had authority delegated to him by God, but you find Paul’s attitude in using that authority in verse 24 where he says, “Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.” No one who serves God in order to rule others is really serving God. They are serving self.
Is that to say that if I have some point of responsibility and I face opposition from those over whom I exercise authority that I’m just to roll over and play dead? Well, obviously not because I am responsible to them and to God. But what we are talking about here is the motivation and attitude that animates the authority that we steward. Throughout this book, Paul talks about how this authority had been given by God for the help of others.
For instance, in II Corinthians 10:8 Paul talks about “our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification.” In II Corinthians 12:14 Paul says, “I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you.” In verse 19 he says, “We do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifiying.” In II Corinthians 13:10 he speaks of that which is “according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.” Paul realized that he had authority that was given by God for others.
Your gifting and authority has been given to edify the church and not to build self. You will rarely find the need to dominate someone who knows that you are there to help.