Christian Authority Proclaimed

In the last couple of posts, we have shown that our position as God made us, and our partnership with angels give us authority that makes us useful warriors in the army of the Lord. Just what kind of authority do we have? Let’s explore that topic today.

Listen to what the Apostle Paul told the church at Ephesus, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way” (Ep 1: 17-23, NIV).

Did you get that? He said God has given us “great power” if we put our faith and trust in Christ Jesus. How did he do that? He disarmed the powers and authorities who had control of us and made a public spectacle of them by taking on our sins on the cross. This allowed him to forgive us and cancel the legal charges Satan had against us which condemned us to be forever separated from God (Cl 2:13-15). He now strengthens us with his power and qualifies us to share in his inheritance in the kingdom of light (Cl 1:11-12). In Ephesians, we read: “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Ep 2:6). Therefore, we have been made joint-heirs with Christ, and Paul goes on to say we have been given authority with the same power that raised Christ from the dead if we yield to the power of the Holy Spirit (Ep 1:19-20).

Christ is the head of his Church and we, as part of his Church, are part of his body. He is above all rule, authority, power, and dominion. As his body, we also can overcome these forces as well by using spiritual weapons he has given us. Paul tells us we have the power to demolish strongholds (1Co 10:4-5). These are thoughts and arguments that Satan has set up to go against the knowledge of God. Paul is telling us we have the power to destroy them. We do this in concert with angels (Why Should We Care About Angels) by putting on and utilizing the spiritual armor and tools God has given us (Ep 6:10-20). We don’t plea and beg for God to answer our prayer, but we pray in the authority and power he has given us. Jesus’ words are powerful and cut to one’s very core (Hb 4:12), and angels respond to his words (Ps 103:20). Jesus’ name is powerful and one day all will confess his name and lordship just by being in his presence (Pp 2:9-11). And there is power in his blood to cleanse (1Pt 1:18-19), forgive, and one day all will confess his name and his lordship (Cl 3:17), and his blood protects us and helps us overcome spiritual attacks (Rv 12:11).

So, if you have placed your trust and hope in the Lord Jesus Christ, you, my friend, have far more power than you may think. We are now able to have the mind of Christ (1Co 2:26) which means we can see and act in the way Christ would. And if we resist the devil and his forces by utilizing the power Christ has given us and utilize the armor he has bestowed to us, the devil will most definitely flee (Ja 4:7). This is not always easy because we can never let our guard down or give the devil a foothold in our lives (Ep 4:27) because he will most definitely take any and all advantages he can. But we definitely have authority to push back. So, let’s do so. The rewards are far greater for us if we do than if we do not. It is always darkest before the dawn, but that dawn is coming, and it is coming soon.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens