What the Bible says about Positions of Authority
(From Forerunner Commentary)
Here, the disciples show they understood what Christ was doing, but they immediately let the idea of such awesome power go to their heads by vying for the very top positions. Christ explains that His disciples must use authority in a godly fashion, not for self-aggrandizement as the Gentiles had used it.
Staff
Who Are the 'Guests at the Wedding'?Related Topics: Abuse of Authority | Authority | Competition | Competitive Spirit | Competitiveness | Gentile Leadership | Leadership | Leadership, God's Pattern of | Lording it over Others | Positions of Authority | Power Corrupts | Self Aggrandizement | Servant Attitude | Servant Leadership | Tyrannical Leadership
It is the night before the crucifixion. Jesus knows what is going to happen, so He prepares His disciples by telling them that He is leaving to travel, as it were, somewhere else. When He gets there, He will prepare a place for them.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Two)
God has ways of causing us to yield so that He can mold and shape us into what He desires. Because of this, we will be ready for our "place" when the Kingdom comes. God not only has power, but He also always has alternatives to ensure that His will is done without taking our free moral agency from us. He has another option we may not want to consider: If we will not cooperate by using our free moral agency for right purposes, He can always replace us with somebody better. We are, after all, the weak of the world. We have every reason to be encouraged, however. He will use every means at His disposal to prepare and save those called into His purpose on schedule with the return of Jesus Christ.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Sovereignty of God: Part Four
No matter what a person's name means, it identifies him. Our new names will identify us with a person ("God"), a place ("New Jerusalem"), and very likely a function or responsibility in God's government ("My new name"). Obadiah 1:17, 21 gives us an insight of what our function may be:
But on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. . . . Then saviors shall come to Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lord's.
John W. Ritenbaugh
God's Promises Are Sure!Related Topics: Authority, Positions of | God's Government | God's Promises | Government of God | Name | Name, New | Name, Value of | New Jerusalem | New Name | Positions of Authority
When God resurrects us into His Kingdom, He will give us names to designate our existence, nature, and responsibility in the Kingdom. We are assured of carrying God's own name if we overcome sin. What a tremendous reward to bear His name for all eternity!
Martin G. Collins
The Third CommandmentRelated Topics: Authority, Positions of | God's Name | God's Promises | Name | Name of God, Honoring | Name of God, Taking in Vain | Name, New | Name, Value of | Overcoming | Positions of Authority | The Third Commandment | Third Commandment