Moral Authority… “Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.” Proverbs 16:12
Moral authority gives leaders the creditability to lead the most effectively. Presidents, judges, congressmen, governors, mayors, businessmen, teachers, preachers and parents all require moral authority to be a leader worth following. It is the fabric of faith in God’s standards that bolsters respect from followers. So, what is your standard for conduct? Is your conscience governed by Christ’s character? Is He your baseline of behavior?
If everyone “does what is right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25, KJV), there is cultural chaos and moral confusion. It may be a work culture that is inconsistent in its accountability, or a home environment where the parents do not model the behavior they expect from their children. Rules are only followed consistently if righteousness rules.
Your Creator has given you rights based on His righteous standard of behavior. If however, we ignore the implementation of integrity, we forfeit our rights. God’s gift of freedom is fragile and only flourishes in a faith based society. Those who are ungrateful to God travel down a path of pride to their peril. “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 16:25, NKJV). Moral authority is accountable to Almighty God.
Therefore, I have to ask myself, “Do I detest wrongdoing?” “Do I engage injustice with Christ-like character? “Do I compromise God’s standards, or do I walk away from unseemly situations and shady deals?” The conscience of culture changes one heart at a time. Moral authority is the master of a leaders fate. With it comes creditability and the Lord’s blessing. Without it is a shell of service at best, and corruption at worst. ‘Do I lead with the moral authority of my master Jesus?’ “Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 3:13).
Related Readings: 2 Samuel 23:3-4; 2 Chronicles 19:5-7; Luke 12:48; Revelation 19:11
Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading?
How will I respond?
