If you're elected by power instead of authority, you'll eventually lose your power. When the masses, who have no faith in you, finally decide to rebel, you'll fall as quickly as the communist governments in Eastern Europe did. If you were abusive in your use of power, you may even lose your life to the people you oppressed. History is filled with examples of this truth - that you cannot gain credibility by force. It is earned.
Authority is earned.
And nothing earns authority faster than through an act of love. Love is the opposite of power. You cannot both love people and use your power against them. Love gives rather than takes away. It supports rather than oppresses.