  One of the hardest things that I have had to get over is my perceived value of who I am. I have always desired to be someone who made a difference, was respected, and most of all, someone who has authority. Through my 32 years, I have had many positions and titles that I thought defined who I was. As I submit my life to Jesus, and start to look at His ways, I am gripped by a reality that my position or title doesn't determine who I really am.
Think about it, when you ask someone to tell you about themselves they immediately start to describe what they do, because that is how society defines who we are. It is entirely based upon what we do. So we go around with our important little titles and our twinkie badge and shout it from the roof tops (especially if it sounds important). Believe me, I have been guilty! The funny thing is, that in the Kingdom, EVERYTHING is the exact opposite of the world. The world says, eye for an eye. The Bible says, bless those that curse you, pray for those who despitefully use you! The world says to do what feels good to the flesh. The Bible says to not give into the temptations of the flesh. The exact opposite. And for identity, the world would say that what we do defines who we are. Guess what? Just the opposite in the Kingdom. Our identity in the Kingdom is defined by who we are in Christ, not by the status of the world.
It's like this, Jesus' title isn't Lord, It's who He is. It's not a position but a function. Paul is identified as an Apostle of Jesus Christ, not the "Apostle Paul". That is a title that we give him. Pauls title isn't Apostle, that is who he is, or how he functioned. Let's go a little futher. You say, ok Rob, I am getting this a little bit, but isn't it your title or position that gives you authority? I say only in the world does a title or position give you any authority. In the Kingdom, it is a function of who you are. Authority in the Kingdom is not something that is titled, but something that is given to you by another person. When you get pulled over by a cop for speeding, you didn't call him earlier that week and say, I am going to be driving this route later, would you please keep me accountable for my speeding. No, that is a position that he has been given, and it is his discretion who he pulls over and who he lets go.
He controls his authority over you. But in the Kingdom, authority is something that is given to a person. My authority in anyones life, is only as much as someone give me. It has absolutely nothing to do with my position, but who I am and how I am perceived by any individual I have relationship with. If I have no relationship with someone, the will be reluctant to give me authority to help steward their life.
Authority is not something the is taken, but it is something that is given. Think about it! The only authority that I allow in my life is that which I give to someone. That is why my identity is only based on my revelation of Jesus Christ, and what He says I am. Many people never get their because they look at authority through the eyes of the law and not through the eyes of grace! I am so thankful that I understand who I am, not based on my performance or my works, but entirely on who He (Jesus) says I am.
WOW, what a load of my back, no more earning my way to the top, do ya get it now? I am sure you do. Here something: There is nothing you can do to make Jesus Love you any more, and the good thing is, there is nothing you can do to make Him Love you any less! Stop perfoming and start being who He made you to be! 
