“How great is the hope to which he is calling you -- the magnificence and splendor of the inheritance promised to Christians -- and how tremendous is the power available to us who believe in God. That power is the same divine energy which was demonstrated in Christ when he raised him from the dead and gave him the place of supreme honor in Heaven – a place that is infinitely superior to any conceivable command, authority, power or control.”
Ephesians 1:19-20 Phillips
The word “authority” means the right to act and the power to act or to command. The Greek word for authority, “exousia” means power that is rightfully executed. The Bible teaches that the ultimate authority to exercise power is God. When people exercise rightful authority, it is because God has delegated it to them and they must answer to God for the way they exercise it.
Jesus received authority from His Father: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18) We learn the reason why when Jesus prayed to His Father, “For you granted me authority over all people that I might give eternal life to all those you have given me.” (John 17:2)
Jesus also received authority to grant God’s kingdom to those who love Him. “And I confer on you a kingdom just as my Father conferred one on me.” “ Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love Him?” (Luke 22:29, James 2:5)
The gift of eternal life and the authority and blessings of the kingdom of God are bestowed on us when we believe in Jesus Christ as Son of God and Savior. (John 1:12, 3:16)
Jesus reigns in God’s kingdom as King and Priest. (Isaiah 32:1, Jeremiah 23:5, John 18:37, Revelation 17:14, Hebrews 4:14-15, 8:1) For His dual role, He has been given authority to judge, to intercede and to forgive. (John 5:27, Hebrews 7:25, Luke 5:24) Just as Jesus exercised the authority given Him by His Father, we are to exercise the authority given us by Jesus. We are to represent Christ as ambassadors and priests of His kingdom, serving others and interceding for them in prayer.
“God . . . has given us the ministry of reconciliation and has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors.” II Corinthians 5:18-19
“To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father – to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” Revelation 1:6
Ambassadors that represent their country in other nations bring with them the authority and power of the country they represent. Christians are to serve with the authority and power of the kingdom they represent. Authority has no value if it does not have power behind it.
The apostle Paul promises that we have all the authority and power we need in Jesus Christ: “For in Christ there is all of God in a human body, so you have everything when you have Christ, and you are filled with God through your union with Christ. He is the highest Ruler, with authority over every other power.” Colossians 2:9-10 LB
How do we receive the authority and power we are promised? Jesus entered ministry under His Father’s authority in the power of His Father’s Spirit. (Luke 4:14, 5:17) We enter ministry under Christ’s authority through the same Spirit. (John 14:16-17) We join Jesus in His ministry to the world equipped by His Holy Spirit dwelling within us. We are given authority to preach (share the good news of the kingdom), to resist and overcome evil, to heal (emotional, physical and spiritual healing), and to serve effectively. (Luke 9:1, 10:9, 18-19, Romans 8:26, I Corinthians 12:1-11)
When I am weak or powerless to serve effectively under Christ’s authority, it is usually for one of three reasons: (1) my lack of faith, (2) negative feelings about myself or others and/or (3) moving ahead without doing the things necessary to prepare me as a vessel of His authority. When God brings these to my attention, I ask Him to increase my faith or to show me anything that is separating me from Him so I may repent. I also ask Him to help me replace my negative thoughts with positive ones. When I have feelings of unforgiveness, I ask Him to help me forgive the person who has wronged me and I seek His forgiveness for the judgments I have held toward them. In this way, I become a cleansed vessel ready to be filled. I spend time in prayer to help me be centered in Jesus Christ. I pray for the love, wisdom and abilities to serve that I will need. I do not want to depend solely on my human capabilities. I try to serve humbly yet confidently, relying on the authority of Jesus Christ and the knowledge that He is faithful to His promises. (John 14:12, John 16:13) When my motive for serving is to exalt Jesus Christ and lovingly advance His kingdom, God will honor it. (John 12:26, I Peter 5:1-4)
When Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, He was teaching about authority properly exercised. He said, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you . . . do you understand what I have done for you?” (John 13:6-17) As Christ’s ambassador and intercessor, my great desire is to grow in my understanding of what it means to exercise my authority with loving humility.
Each of us has opportunities for service created in the mind and heart of God before we were formed in our mother’s womb. (Ephesians 2:10) We don’t want to miss these!
“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God . . . offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” I Peter 2: 9 and 5
Thoughts to Ponder
We have been given authority to act as humble ambassadors for Jesus Christ. Why is authority exercised with humility effective?
Suggestions for Prayer-Listening
Lord Jesus, do I need to confess that laziness, lack of faith or negative feelings are decreasing my effectiveness as your ambassador?
How do you want me to stretch and grow in serving you?
Suggestion for Meditation
“Christ’s love compels us . . . we are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” II Corinthians 5:14a, 20a
As you meditate on this passage, surrender yourself to Christ as His loving ambassador. To prepare yourself for future service, quietly receive His love.
There is always more to learn about exercising Christ’s authority through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. We are to have an ever-growing dependence on the Holy Spirit and seek the gifts that He bestows for service (I Corinthians 12:7-11, Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:11-12). When we see how wonderfully the Lord is working through us for others, some of us forget that our authority is most effective when exercised in humility.
How can we grow in humility? Sometimes we are humbled by embarrassing circumstances. I would prefer to avoid these if possible! One of the ways I invite God’s work of humility in me is to reflect (especially during Holy Communion) on Christ’s body broken for me. I pray, “Lord Jesus, break me through your word and your Holy Spirit so I may love you, worship you and serve you with greater love, humility and power.