That is our example.
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:35-36)
This is so very difficult because rebellion is in our nature (Genesis 3:6-21). However, redeemed nature (2 Corinthians 5:17) gives us the ability to live a life of surrender to God through Christ.
Personally, I find this to be a daily choice. I wish I could have declared a “once and done” surrender decades ago, but my temptation is to grab control back when under pressure.
So, it’s a daily surrender for me; how about you?
5. Spiritual Authority Is Activated by Sacrificial Serving.
Serving others is generally something most pastoral leaders enjoy and do well; however, to serve consistently in a sacrificial manner requires consistent, intentional commitment.
Serving sacrificially is to give yourself away for the good of others. It is not to the detriment of yourself where you have nothing left to give but consistently putting others first, even when inconvenient.
Spiritual authority cannot be humanly engineered or manufactured, but we can receive it as a measure of grace by asking through prayer and by how we live and demonstrate our faith.
This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.
