Spiritual Authority (1)

Over the next couple of days, I will explore the authority of the believer, as we live and reign in the kingdom of God. Paul taught about spiritual authority in the book of Ephesians and I will explore the five chapters, in as much depth as possible, to explore the mysteries of the kingdom. Jesus taught his disciples about power and authority and demonstrated this authority for us. The disciples walked in authority and boldness, during and after Jesus’s ascension. We will consider God’s original design for mankind to have dominion and to walk in this authority as sons and daughters. We will explore how the fall of Adam truncated this authority, until Jesus rose triumphant and took back the keys of death, hell and the grave.

I believe that understanding authority is one of the bedrocks of our kingdom assignment and without authority, many believers are living in constant defeat. I believe that if we understand and truly live in authority, then we will be victorious. Paul started in Ephesians 1, by blessing God and acknowledging the blessings which he gave us through Christ Jesus in heavenly places. Considering the original design, God created us in his own image and likeness in Genesis 1:26. We were also given dominion over the sea, air, land and the earth and over every living thing. God also gave Adam authority to name every living thing and from man, God created woman. “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:28).

With every promise, there is a caveat or a condition to maintain and keep the promise. For mankind, it was to obey God and to resist eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Eating from this tree would bring death, separation from God and the curse. Satan tempted Eve, she ate and gave to her husband who also ate and their eyes were open and they knew that they were naked and were ashamed. God clothed Adam and Eve, sent them out of the garden to till the soil and told them the curses that came with the broken covenant. Since the fall, man has had to deal with death, disease, hard labour and enmity between the seed of man and the adversary. God had a redemption plan for mankind and Jesus Christ was born, lived, was crucified, died and resurrected to redeem the power and authority that we received from God.

Jesus first took the keys of death and hell and he lives forevermore (Revelations 1:18). He also nailed our sins to the cross and cancelled every record of debt that was held against us, and triumphed over the works of darkness (Colossians 2:14). He disarmed the principalities and the powers of darkness on our behalf, to restore the church’s authority on the earth. Paul also said, that we have been predestined and adopted into the family of God through Jesus Christ. We have been redeemed through the blood of Jesus and given an abundance of wisdom and spiritual insight. The Holy Spirit seals our promise of salvation and reveals all mysteries to the children of God. Paul prayed that we will receive wisdom from the Holy Spirit and that our spiritual eyes would be open.

As we continue through this study of Ephesians and consider other scriptures which explains the believer’s authority, I pray that our eyes will also be open and our hearts will remain ready to receive.

A.P.-Y.