Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” – Matthew 28:18
Understanding Our Authority
We often ponder our place in God’s kingdom and how we, as believers, hold authority in His plans. The scripture emphasizes that all authority has been given to Jesus, which extends to us as His followers. When we accept Christ, we become part of His family and receive the power to make a difference in our lives and the lives of others. This recognition of our authority helps us understand our role in combating sin and spreading the message of love, hope, and salvation. We have the tools, through prayer and faith, to carry out God’s will, and it encourages us to step boldly into unfamiliar situations, knowing we are backed by the Creator of the universe.
Mark 16:17
“And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name, they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;” – Mark 16:17
Luke 10:19
“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” – Luke 10:19
Romans 8:37
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” – Romans 8:37
1 John 4:4
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” – 1 John 4:4
Ephesians 6:10
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” – Ephesians 6:10
Walking in Faith
We often find ourselves questioning our ability to enact change in our lives and in the lives of those around us. Faith is the cornerstone of our lives as believers, and when we walk in faith, we recognize our authority. This faith empowers us to act, take risks, and trust that God is with us, guiding our steps. By engaging in prayer and actively seeking His guidance, we build our confidence. God reminds us that we can achieve remarkable things when we trust in Him, knowing our authority comes from Him, giving us the courage to overcome obstacles, face fears, and embrace challenges. Let us walk boldly, confident in the power we have as believers.
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20
2 Corinthians 5:7
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1
James 1:6
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” – James 1:6
Matthew 21:22
“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” – Matthew 21:22
The Power of Prayer
As believers, we must recognize the powerful tool at our disposal: prayer. Prayer is our direct line of communication with God, where we can express our desires, weaknesses, fears, and thanks. When we pray, we acknowledge that we rely on God’s ability and power and trust His plans are much greater than our own. Our prayers can change situations, hearts, and lives because we are using the authority granted to us in Christ. As a community of believers, we need to support one another in prayer, joining our faith together to impact the world around us, knowing that God hears and honors our requests when made in His name.
John 14:13
“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” – John 14:13
Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6
Matthew 18:19
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” – Matthew 18:19
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Jeremiah 29:12
“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” – Jeremiah 29:12
Claiming God’s Promises
God’s promises are our foundation as believers. In claiming His promises, we activate our God-given authority. We can stand firm on the promises of God, reminding ourselves and each other of who we are called to be. God’s Word is filled with promises of His protection, provision, and presence in our lives. When we face uncertainty, we must lean into these promises, trusting that God will fulfill His word. Our belief in His promises empowers us to walk confidently, even amidst challenges and difficulties. Let us boldly claim these promises, knowing God is faithful to bring them to fruition.
2 Peter 1:4
“Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may partake in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world.” – 2 Peter 1:4
Psalms 145:13
“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.” – Psalms 145:13
Hebrews 10:23
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
Romans 4:21
“Being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” – Romans 4:21
Living as Ambassadors
The authority we hold as believers extends beyond ourselves. We are ambassadors of Christ, called to represent Him in our actions, words, and relationship with others. Our authority allows us to bear witness to God’s love and grace and to influence our communities positively. The way we live reflects the Kingdom of God and demonstrates how we are to act as representatives of Christ. We are tasked with the responsibility of sharing the good news and bringing hope to those around us. How we conduct ourselves can have a profound impact, and we should always strive to honor our calling as ambassadors in this world.
2 Corinthians 5:20
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:20
Matthew 5:14
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” – Matthew 5:14
Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8
1 Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9
God’s Power in Our Actions
Recognizing the authority we have is one thing, but applying it in our actions is where the real transformation happens. As believers, we have the ability to demonstrate God’s love and power through our actions. When we help others, speak life into situations, and serve those around us, we exemplify the authority God has given us. Our actions can change lives, and each time we act in love and service, we show others the heart of God. This is a powerful aspect of our belief; what we do can influence those searching for hope or purpose. Together, let us embrace this authority in our daily lives and make a difference.
Galatians 5:13
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” – Galatians 5:13
Matthew 25:40
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” – Matthew 25:40
James 2:17
“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” – James 2:17
Philippians 2:13
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” – Philippians 2:13
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10
Final Thoughts
As believers, the authority given to us in Christ is an incredible gift that transforms our daily lives. We have the comfort of knowing we are equipped and empowered to face life’s challenges. By embracing our authority, walking in faith, utilizing prayer, claiming God’s promises, and living as His ambassadors, we step into our God-given purpose. Remember, we’re not alone on this journey; together, we can support one another and cultivate a community filled with faith and love. We need to remind ourselves of this daily, helping each other understand and act on our authority as children of God.
We encourage you to explore more topics related to our faith and understanding by visiting Bible Repository or discovering Bible Verses about Freedom in Jesus.
Let us continually seek to know God more and understand the depth of His love for us, empowering us to act according to His will. Together, we can make a profound impact in the world around us, shining brightly for all to see.