The word “authority” conveys different things to different people. The Bible, however, speaks of authority from a righteous and holy standpoint. There is a certain level of authority we have in Christ that cuts across the devices of God’s adversary, the devil, who seeks to usurp God’s authority and confuse His people. Knowing the truth helps us walk in God’s authority and triumph over the forces of darkness.
RELEVANCE
John specifically revealed how those embracing Christ are given unique measures of authority: “as many as received Him, to them He gave the right (exousia) to become children of God, to those who believe in His name (John 1:11-12). Appreciating this requires an understanding of the Greek word exousia. Like many Greek and Hebrew words, it is an expansive word. It means: right, privilege, capacity, competency, strength, freedom, authority, power and jurisdiction. Those who actively embrace Christ as LORD truly come into a covenant relationship with God offering huge capacity in God.
Jesus said something to Peter which has been debated for centuries. “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:19). In the Hebrew culture the phrase “bind and lose” meant “prohibit and permit.” The Lord was, therefore, establishing key aspects of His order of authority: judgment, justice and stewardship.
Jesus had asked, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” They first replied, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” So He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” After hearing Peter’s firm and honest answer He made His statement conveying the authority to in fact serve as a steward of kingdom judgment and justice with the authority to prohibit and permit as relating to spiritual matters.
Over the course of time Jesus would reveal more about the truth and reality of spiritual authority. It’s a subject many dismiss, but God would have you know the truth to apply it in your life. The bottom line is; personal revelation of truth, conviction of heart, obedience and humility are prerequisites to being endowed and commissioned by God with spiritual authority.
REFLECT AND RELATE
Seek God for truth concerning His way of wielding and walking in authority. He will bring you to topics like humility, submission and stewardship. He will reveal how to walk in His authority.
REFERENCES
Luke 9:1-2; 10:18-20; 19:17; Matthew 10:5-9; Hebrews 13:7-8