Servant & The Principle of Authority – Part 3 continues to unpack some markers and behavioral characteristics of the Servant redemptive gift. Love Like Jesus and Part 2 provide important framing.
Servant’s Birthright*
“To be a life-giver to others, especially leaders.
To provide the cleansing and authority others require for their destiny.”
A biblical example of Servant redemptive gift is clearly seen in Esther. Her story will benefit us as we look at more of Servant’s inward bent and Wisdom principle of authority.
The Principle of Authority – Who
Who: Servants work well with others. Because they live relatively free from a desire to build their own kingdom, they make a helpful, practical team player. Most Servants have few enemies. If elevated to a position (as was Esther who ‘requested nothing’ and gained favor in the sight of all who saw her 1), they tend to not be demanding of their subordinates – unlike many who are placed in positions of power.
Servant is loyal and trustworthy, especially with leaders. Upon learning through her uncle Mordecai of a plan to assassinate King Xerxes (Ahasuerus), Esther exposed the plot.2 She gave Mordecai credit, and because she did not keep silent, saved the life of the king.
There is high loyalty in Servant when it comes to family. Mordecai, in his persuasion of Esther to rise up, brought forward her life and family name.3 He employed her family loyalty to garner her response. The focus of Servant’s energy is to bring life to others and empower them to achieve their best. Other- and outward-oriented is a good description of Servant’s birthright. While Prophet needs a goal and can be unsentimental about relationships, Servant is all about meeting the needs of the present moment.
The Principle of Authority – When
When: Since Servant does not mind (and most often prefers) to remain in the background, needs are the internal button-pushers that move a Servant to more noticeable action – if only noticed by the needy one.
Servant’s innate ability to see external needs of comfort is matched by their quick response to meet those needs. Whereas Teacher tends to initially ask ‘why’, Servant first provides for the obvious need. Esther, again, is a good example. When she heard Mordecai was in sackcloth, she sent garments to clothe him and remove his sackcloth. She may have wondered afterward, but why he was wearing sackcloth was not her first response. Whether Xerxes or Mordecai, she cared for them via her action based on present need.
The Principle of Authority – Where
Where: The authority of Servant is most notable in the following relationships and/or arenas:
- In prayer and intercession for leaders. Servants use authority to care for and minister to leaders. They deal with details and administrative tasks to release leaders for that to which they are called.
- Restoration of broken families. Have special authority when praying for restoration in the family.
- Ability to love the hard cases, the unlovable; have the capacity to be “porcupine huggers”. They carry authority to reach challenging ones who are deeply wounded and fearful of the truth.
- Carry authority in prayer for the sick, especially in threatened premature death.
- The Servant’s birthright to be a life-giver to others carries with it authority over the death spirit, particularly the premature death spirit. This spiritual authority applies to both spiritual and physical death, including over apparent, obvious potential demonic attack to take a person’s life. This bears out once again in Esther’s story when she ‘stood in the gap’ – not in the way, but in her God-given authority as a member of God’s and her people, the Jews, faced with extermination.
- Authority over the land or ecology. Servant’s authority for relationship is not bound to people only, but also in special authority over nature, weather, and land issues. Servant speaks blessing and anointing to land and buildings and can call forth ecological restoration. The second day of creation is Servant’s day – the separation of water from water, the skies above and waters below. In between, the atmosphere. Servant partners with God to cleanse the atmosphere, whether in the spiritual or physical environment. The priests in the Tabernacle, who washed before the sacrifices could be offered for themselves and on behalf of the people. Jesus washing His disciples’ feet. Washing by the water of the Word. This is Servant authority, walked in so that others may reach their destiny, including the Servant.
The Ultimate Goal of The Principle of Authority
Matthew 28:18 & 20 reminds us that Jesus said, “All authority has been given to me, and I am with you.”
The opening article, Servant & The Principle of Authority – Love Like Jesus, established that His love is the greatest authority this world will ever know.
The ultimate goal is to redeem, detoxify, and sanctify all individuals
and institutions to their highest level.
~ A. Burk
Jesus, during His life on earth, was fully the redemptive gift of Servant. The ultimate goal will be fulfilled. It is beyond our comprehension in a way that only our spirit can know, the privilege we have of participating with Christ in meeting His ultimate goal. In this our day, place, and time – Servants rise up.
One more article highlights the major weaknesses that hinder the life-giving flow of Servant’s authority.
For such a time will close this brief but foundational overview of Servant & The Principle of Authority.
~ Nancy
*A. Burk/C. Wales description of Servant’s birthright
1 Esther 2:15 2 Esther 2:22-23 3 Esther 4:12-14
Click here for a printable PDF of this article: Servant & The Principle of Authority – Part 3
Enjoying your series, Nancy. Very rich study you are doing here! Would you say that Christ has all the redemptive gifts in His person, working in perfect unison, whereas His expression through us as individuals comes out in a more specific way? In other words, I can relate a little bit to the Servant role, but not as much as to another Redemptive gift, which I believe I have.
Hi Pamela ~ I just lost an entire detailed reply to you (and written for the benefit of others who may read our exchange). So, you get the short version 🙂 First off, thank you for reading. I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying this study of the Redemptive Gifts.
As for Christ having all seven, I absolutely agree with you. I note such in the articles of Pattern of Seven and What Is a Redemptive Gift? regarding Christ Jesus the embodiment of all seven, and Father carefully selecting the unique characteristics of His choosing in His creation of every individual.
I understand your relating perhaps a bit to Servant (in this case), but more to another you believe you have been given. Of course, that is part of the discovery of God’s design of us – as deep as we wish to go with Him. In my own life, I can attest that not just one is dominant for me; I’ve had a dominant one in seasons of my life story, then segued by the Spirit (Who knows what He is up to!) in new seasons to another redemptive gift portion. Whether necessary, or needing to be developed, or needing healing in the areas of its weaknesses and release into the strength of that portion, He is at work. And that, my friend, is the story of my life! Continual and not accomplished quickly or without bravery at times and tempering at others. So too, I think, is the spiritual journey for all of Christ’s disciples & intimates. ~ Thank you for being part of my life and this season of the journey, Pamela ~ Nancy
Thank you for taking the time to write another response to the one you lost. I hate when that happens :-/ It was great. I never thought about that until now… of that possibility the Spirit may give us different gifts in different seasons. Makes sense, and I imagine helps to keep us from getting too rigid and set in His ways with us. (which becomes a rebellious manifestation of “our” way if we aren’t flexible to move with Him when He moves) I appreciate the gift of you too, in this part of my life and journey as well! It really feels like something tangible, too, not just in words.
((hugs)) Pamela