"Pulling Rank"

“Pulling Rank”

 

Some years ago a ten-year-old boy was throwing a ball in a church hallway when an adult asked him to stop as it was posing a danger to others. The youngster replied, “My father is a pastor. I can do what I want!” (Thankfully, it wasn’t my son!) In his childishness he acted improperly and it’s likely his dad used this as a teaching tool about playing the privilege card.

During the Cold War a U.S. military transport plane filled with service personnel returning home from overseas on emergency leave was preparing for departure when a colonel taking his vacation boarded with his family. He ordered several enlisted men off the aircraft and refused to listen to their pleas. The bumped soldiers went to the base commander (a major general) to report the incident. The c.o. promptly ordered the flight to return. When it landed he got on the plane, removed the rank puller and his family, and personally saw to it that those needing the seats got them. Can you imagine what that colonel’s next performance evaluation looked like? And the dressing down he received?

The Urban Dictionary describes pulling rank as using one’s position to exercise power or force compliance, usually accompanied by arrogance and pride. God speaks plainly against these sins (“…I hate pride and arrogance….”—Proverbs 8:13) and warns of the consequences (“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”—Proverbs 16:18). Read the stories of Haman’s downfall in Esther 7 and Nebuchadnezzar’s humiliation in Daniel 4 to see that God means what He says.

When the religious leaders of Jesus’ day tried to pull rank with Him He soundly rebuked them (see Matthew 23). This serves as a warning to us. Because of our trust in Christ “…He gave (us) the right to become children of God….” (John 1:12), but with this privilege comes responsibility (“…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”--Ephesians 4:1). This means no pulling rank to get our way but following Jesus’ example of humbly serving others (“…He…began to wash his disciples’ feet…’I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.’”—John 13:5,15).

Are we ready to “…follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21)?

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan