Friends, we have an important mission to complete! Understanding the authority that we have in Jesus is essential for us as we live to represent him to the world. We are all very familiar with authority in our culture and framework of society. We know that there are various positions that carry different measures of authority from being a parent to being a judge in the Supreme Court. Before history began, God was supreme in total authority over all that existed. At creation, God created humans to carry His image and have authority over all creation. He then commanded them to have children who would bring the earth under their control.
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground,” (Genesis 1:26, NIV).
At the fall, Adam and Eve gave away the authority over creation that God had given them. This gave Satan the right to claim in his discussion with Jesus that the power and wealth of the world “has all been handed over to me, and I can give it to anyone I choose,” (Luke 4:6). God, himself, worked out a plan to redeem us and restore us to our rightful position of authority. Jesus, being fully God, set aside his divine abilities while on earth to function totally as a human, modeling what true humanity was intended to be. Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross and resurrection from the dead defeated Satan. Jesus gave us the same Holy Spirit who guided and empowered him. This makes it possible for us as humans, as we follow Jesus’ example of obedience to and intimacy with the Father, to return to the original place of authority for which we were created.
The dictionary defines “representation” as “to present again.” Another way to say it might be “re-present” someone. The dictionary also provided these meanings: “to exhibit the image and counterpart of; to speak and act with authority on the part of; to be a substitute or agent for.” We must believe in the complete, final and victorious work of Jesus and rise up in our role as sent ones, ambassadors, authorized representatives of the Victor.
Dutch Sheets describes this heavenly pattern this way in his book Authority in Prayer:
Jesus is the Victor- we’re the enforcers;
Jesus is the Redeemer- we’re the releasers;
Jesus is the Head- we’re the body.
What a profound honor to partner with God in this way. His work empowers our prayers and our prayers release his work on earth as it is in heaven!
Steps in Pursuit
- When authority has been misused by others, it can create emotional blocks in our lives. Identify any wounds from authority figures and ask God to bring healing to those wounds. Ask Holy Spirit to help you surrender any pain and unforgiveness in those places of your soul.
- Identify areas in your life that you have given up the authority that God has given you. Prayerfully bring those areas of your life back into the godly authority that God intends. Ex. A parent, who has given their child too much authority.
- Blessings can be passed along to others when we use our authority in a mature and humble manner. Ask God to reveal ways you can be a blessing at home, work and in relationships, as you walk in godly authority.
We have been commissioned with the important task of representing Jesus to the world. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus tells his followers:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age,”(NIV).
Continue the Pursuit,
Denise Horner
