Jesus did not just die on the cross for our eternity in heaven, but also for our freedom and healing on earth as well. As sons and daughters of the King, we are called and created to operate within our rights and authority. So, one of the most foundational pieces of our programs at Mercy is helping people understand their authority in Christ. In John 16:23, Jesus tells his disciples about the authority He is granting them in prayer: “Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.”(NIV)
So let’s talk about authority.
What is Authority?
Authority = DELEGATED POWER
Authority is power that is granted to someone else by someone who is in authority. For example, consider policemen directing traffic. In and of themselves, they do not have extraordinary power to stop cars, right? As drivers on the road, we obey their instructions because of the power delegated to them by the government. And that brings up another critical point:
The value of our authority rests on the power that is behind it.
This is great news for us because the God of the universe is the power behind our authority as believers. And when we understand this and know how to exercise that authority, we can face the enemy fearlessly!
We know that God has authority over the enemy because 1 John 3:8 says that the purpose of Jesus coming to earth was so that He might destroy the works of the devil. And when Jesus died on the cross, it seemed like Satan was victorious. But on the third day, Jesus rose from the grave and triumphed over the enemy! In that moment, Satan was stripped of his authority. In fact, before Jesus went back to heaven, he said in Matthew 28:18, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.“(NIV)
So when we commit our lives to Christ, we not only share in His death and His burial, but we also share in His resurrection and His victory! Ephesians 2:6 says, “For He (God) raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.”(ESV) So Christ is seated at the Father’s right hand – the seat of authority – and the Word says that we are seated with Him in that place.
Our Authority in Christ
But, if we don’t know what belongs to us, it won’t do us any good. That’s why I think there are so many Christians walking around in chains! Understanding how to walk in our authority is foundational to living in freedom.
When you understand your authority, you begin to understand that through prayer, you can declare that what the Lord has promised to you in His Word is yours. You can start to declare the truths of Scripture over your life that are your inheritance as a son or daughter of God. And to be clear, you’re not demanding of God; you’re demanding of the enemy what is yours because God has promised it to you in His Word, and you have the authority to claim it.
Your inheritance as a son or daughter of God is FREEDOM. It’s HEALING. FORGIVENESS. LOVE. JOY. PEACE. And you get to claim those promises. You get to claim your inheritance.
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 (ESV)
Using our Authority
So, do you understand your authority in Christ? How are you walking in that authority today? Take a moment, right now, and ask: “Lord, in what area of my life do I need to use my God-given authority?”
Jot down what you feel Him saying, either in the note’s app on your phone or on some paper. In your next time of devotion with the Lord, take it further and ask him HOW He wants you to use your authority.
Get specific.
Is it prayer or talking to someone? Whatever the Lord calls you to do, be faithful to surrender and obey. As you submit to His ways in your life, you will be able to resist the enemy and stand in your inheritance as God’s child. The enemy knows that he cannot hold in bondage a believer who knows their authority in Christ
Using Your Authority in Christ is one of seven keys in Mercy Multiplied’s discipleship study, “Keys to Freedom”. For more on this topic, click here and get a copy of the study today!
Mercy Multiplied exists to provide opportunities for all to experience God’s unconditional love, forgiveness, and life-transforming power. We offer multiple programs and resources online and onsite designed to equip people to live free and stay free in Christ. For more information about the services we offer, click here.
Want more resources? Check out our MercyTalk podcast episode, “Choosing to Forgive”. For daily inspiration, follow us @MercyMultiplied on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
