Balance In the Exercise of Authority

An examination by believers of their own lives should give evidence of the powerful ministry of the indwelling Holy Spirit through the Word of God by the transformation ongoing. The testimony of the transformation is also evidence that the teaching of the Word by the preacher is as a genuine servant of the Lord and in Paul’s case, as an apostle. At Corinth, Paul refused to be pressured to misuse his apostolic authority for the purpose of gaining more approval and respect from persons in the church. As a servant of the Lord his goal and commitment was to please the Lord first and most. As a godly leader, he called the believers to demonstrate the power of Christ in their lives by repenting of their sin and pursue righteousness. His driving motives was their edification not demise and destruction. With the love, humility, and patience of Christ he was determined to be biblically balanced in the exercise of the authority he had been given by the Lord over His church.