As Jesus stood in the judgment hall, Pilate interrogated him saying, “Speakest thou not unto me? Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?”
Jesus answered, “Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above…” (John 19:10-11)
God made man in His image. His purpose was to rule the earth like God rules the Heavens. However, God would still be all-powerful because the created can never be greater than the Creator. God made us “a little lower than the angels and crowned us with glory and honour.” (Ps 8:5)
Since then mankind’s concept of true power has been distorted. We have forgotten that it is God who puts us in positions of influence so that we can make good decisions to benefit others, and represent the grace and nobility of God to them. We have forgotten that true power is authority exercised responsibly.
Slavery occurs when leaders become power-hungry and want prestige and wealth for themselves, but refuse to work for it. Instead they make others suffer so that they can live life in the lap of luxury. We would do well to remember that we are put in a position of power to serve, not to be a cruel taskmaster to others.
A person of true power does not boast because of his power, but recognizes that only God is all-powerful. It is this false concept of fame, position and power that is destroying our world. Business leaders look past the people, and look only for profits. When they do study how to manage people, they do it with the ulterior motive of increasing profitability! We no longer walk in truth.
We have a choice to make. Are we going to join satan’s rebellion and keep “playing god” or are we going to let God reign in our hearts, and transform us into true leaders for Him?
The novelist George Orwell wrote as follows in his satirical novel, Animal Farm: “All power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely.” It doesn’t have to be this way. It is absolute power in the wrong hands, that causes absolute corruption. Let us not let power in our hands be like a weapon in the hands of an untrained fool, which puts everyone around us in danger.
God has given each of us a certain amount of power and influence. Pray for wisdom to rule your affairs justly. King Solomon did this and as long as He obeyed God, he was the richest and wisest king that ever lived. As soon as he started focusing on himself and letting his desires have free reign over him, his life came to ruin. The story of King Solomon has a powerful lesson for all of us.
" And God said to Solomon, Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, nor honor, nor the life of your enemies, nor yet have asked for long life but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may judge My people, over whom I have made you king;wisdom and knowledge is granted to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before you, nor shall any after you have the like."-2 Chron 1:10-12
