Power and authority are two topics which are challenging when we seek to establish a biblical understanding and balance. Scripture verifies that God has given spiritual power to believers and delegated authority for building His kingdom. But exactly what does that encompass? What does that mean for one’s daily walk? False teaching abounds about these subjects. Some teach that power and authority allows a believer to decree things over themselves as already done. E.g., someone claims they are healed while at the same time coughing and sneezing. Extremist contend Christians possess divine power to perform miracles, obtain wealth, live in health, and speak a new reality into existence.
Mature Christians who understand the Word, should recognize this as false doctrine and as an abusive distortion of Scripture. At the opposite end of imbalance are Christians who react to the false by ignoring or rejecting the power and authority the Holy Spirit has provided. As the proverbial saying cautions, ‘don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater’. Before looking at how we use our power and authority, we must understand the meaning of these two words.
Despite being similar in English, the Bible uses them as distinct terms. We can best sum up the definition of power with the synonym ‘ability’. Power is the ability to do, to act, or to be strong enough. We can define authority by the words ‘control’ or ‘rule’. It is the legal and formal right to exercise control and the privilege to use their delegated power. These two must work in unison. One without the other is meaningless and brings confusion.
All power and authority comes from a higher power and authority. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . . (Mat 28:18). Jesus departing words at His ascension were but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth (Act 1:8). Neither power nor authority become our personal possession for our pleasure. God entrusted us with these and we must use them correctly because He holds us accountable. Jesus tells in the above scriptures their purpose; they are for going, making disciples, and for becoming His witnesses.
Foundational to living a victorious life and sharing the Gospel around the world begins by understanding our position in Christ Jesus. Our position in Christ is our legal standing with God. When we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), He raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:5, 6). The key phase is “in Christ” or “in Him.” Our position in Christ provides the power and authority to do His will. Note the position the Father has given Christ. God raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion. . . (Eph 1:21). Believer in Christ are also far above all rule and authority and power and dominion.
Satan remains an intimidating force, but Christ has taken his authority. Through His death Christ has rendered the devil powerless who had the power of death (Heb 2:14). He had disarmed the rulers and authorities (Col 2:15). The devil may attack us and even knock us down but has no authority over us. We have authority to stand and resist him with the assurance he will flee. Resist the devil and he will flee from you [run away] (Jam 4:7). The church has the authority and power to raid Satan’s strongholds.
Scripture provides many references to the believer’s authority over Satan. Note several other areas where Christ gives us power and authority. We have the authority to become His children. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right (authority) to become children of God (Joh 1:12). Believers have the authority to draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Heb 4:16). The Holy Spirit has given us powerful weapons: for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses (2 Co 10:4). Peter says, His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3 NIV). In other words, by God’s power we have the power and authority to live godly lives.
Take this as an introduction and challenge to continue studying the power and authority you have in Christ.
Sustaining Word for the Week: The question you must ask, are you using the power and authority you have in Christ in a balanced way to live a victorious life and to spread the Gospel?