“To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come. But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!”
– Romans 5:13-15
Yesterday we talked about turning on the switch to God’s power in our lives, and today, I want to highlight the reason why you have been given authority in His Kingdom. From the beginning of Scripture, we see the impartation of God’s authority to humanity, playing out again and again through rules, victories, losses and Divine Sovereignty. The story of Adam and Eve teaches us that the Lord created mankind in His image at the very start of history, and accordingly, we are benefactors of His power, life and joy. He told our ancient mother and father to “be fruitful and multiply, and to fill the earth, subdue it and rule over it.” Then later, in Chapter 2 of Genesis, the Bible says, “The Lord took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and to care for it.” From these verses, we see that God gave them further authority to rule and reign over His creation, to co-create, to make new things, and to be fruitful and multiply. So the next logical question is why did the Lord give them this authority? Was it for their ego? No, it was for the benefit of creation. God gave Adam and Eve dominion over creation for the benefit of creation. However, the sad reality is that they gave up that dominion to the serpent when they sinned. From that point, death reigned, even over those who did not sin, until the time of Christ. Thankfully for us, God’s gift was not like the trespass, for although many died by the sin of Adam, the gift of His grace through the man Jesus Christ overflowed to many of us. To simplify the theology here, Jesus was the second Adam and He took back the authority that the first Adam gave to the serpent. Even more amazingly, He gave it to us, so that when we operate in Jesus’ Name, we have His divine authority! Friend, you are a benefactor of the Lord’s authority for the sake of being a blessing to the people around you. You were created to bring God’s light to a spiritually dark world and to impart the life-giving presence and power of Jesus to those who have lost hope. When you understand the weight of your identity in Him, your impact and influence increase exponentially! |
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for giving me your authority for the sake of blessing those around me. I ask for more of your power in my life.
Reflection
How might the authority you have in Jesus benefit the world around you?
2 Responses
I like the practical and very simple way that the message is given
It is refreshing. Jesus did not intend for the Gospel to be complicated and confusing.
Thank you for delivering the gospel with clarity nd conviction.
I like the reflection at the end it makes me think about what I just read and
examine my life in Christ.
The spiritual anointed covering in the blood of Jesus authority during the good & tough times in life knowing that GOD will carry myself through the storm knowing & believing the restoration & power in the lord god almighty to stand to walk in love , faith, hope , & assurance in HIM always plus for my family , extended family members ,& good blessed Christian friends to bless them to help bless others for the years to come!