The Authority in Christ Jesus

You have no real authority unless it is in Christ Jesus.

God’s word says, " I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people."

Paul then writes, " I pray that you will begin to under the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe in him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else in this world or in the world to come. And God has put all things under the authority of Christ, and he gave him this authority for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is filled by Christ who fills everything everywhere with his presence." Ephesians 1:18-23

To my current understanding, the authority in Christ has very little to do with our understanding or even concept of authority. Imagine a container that holds a cancer-fighting drug. It not only holds the drug but also the instructions on how to administer the drug. Does the container have the powerful agents to fight the cancer or does the drug inside the container? We as Christians are merely the container that holds authority but like the drug container that sits on a shelf and doesn’t get used -so are we when we don’t look to God in how to use that authority. The Holy Spirit is living in us but he can only work through you and I if we listen and do as he specifies.

(To be quite honest this can take some patience at times. It seems easier when you get instruction right away- it’s not so easy when you have to wait for an answer.)

"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10)

"For in Christ the fullness of God lives in a human body and you are complete through your union with Christ. He is the Lord over every ruler and authority in the universe." (Colossians 2:9)

"How stupid can you be? He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you. You are only jars he makes! Should the thing that was created say to the one who made it, "He didn’t make us"? Does a jar ever say, " the Potter who made me is stupid"? (Isaiah 29:16)

Obviously we are to use this authority but how?

We have all heard of stories where the servant, who’s master is a great king, is given a position of great authority. This unlikely recipient is not a person who we would see as a person in great authority. They are often timid, sometimes not all that ambitious. They have doubts and concerns. They more or less like to stay out of the public limelight. They have don’t look like a strong candidate for a leadership role but underneath that ordinary exterior is a patient, kind, fair, faithful, hopeful and endure soul who God knows will endure even through the worst of circumstances.

A great king chooses his warriors, commanders, counselors, advisers, and leadership - not so much on a person’s special abilities but in how a person accomplishes their role in respectful honest and faith manner using their abilities. For authority is useless and an embarrassment if not done in great care and/or consideration.

Our authority as Christians (under Christ) is useless if not done in love and we can only have great authority if we submit to God who is the greatest of great kings. We submit to God’s will and we not just see the authority of Christ but experience it.

Remember this authority is patient, kind, not jealous, boastful, proud or rude. It does not demand it’s own way or it’s own way in his or her understanding but goes God’s way. It is not irritable and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is sadden by injustice but is joyful when the truth wins out. It never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) This is as love.

Colossians 3:12-14 says: "Since God chose you to be holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony."

I hear the shutter, "Where is the authority in that again? It sounds more like a doormat."

Authority is rising above it all. It is having peace knowing you didn’t retaliate or get agitated when could have. You didn’t go back to your boxing corner for round 2 after you received one to one the gut. You stayed cool and collected not trusting in your understanding but God and God’s way to work all things out. You stood and stayed on the rock when a ripple of a wave came toward you and you stayed dry.

Romans 12:17 "Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible. Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, ‘I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it," says the Lord. Instead, do what the Scriptures say: ‘If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink, and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you.’ Don’t let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good."

You are an acceptable living and holy sacrifice to God when you live this way.

Authority in Christ sounds very different to this world’s point of view of the understanding of authority doesn’t it? For some of us, we visualize authority as a harsh drill Sargent nose to nose and toe to toe yelling in someone's face like a rabid K9 and as if they, the person on the receiving end, were hard of hearing.

Our authority in encompassed by love, the leading of the Holy Spirit, trusting in Christ Jesus and standing up for what is true and right according to God’s word.

And the more we look to Christ in every aspect or our lives, the more maturity and peace we have with others and ourselves - even during times of conflict. (A picture of Yoda’s lightsaber absorbing the volts of Sith suddenly came to mind)

As my brother, Weaver put it, this betterment "is to wear out the earthly individual, for a more fruitful one which is Heavenly."

Once we see it’s all about Christ’s authority and not our authority, we can sink our teeth down into the true meaning of authority.

1. Christ submitted to his Father’s will.
2. Christ had all authority in heaven and on earth. (Matthew 28:18) by submitting to his Father’s will.
3. Our authority is not based on ourselves but solely on the submission of Christ’s authority.
Matthew 10:1 "He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness."
4. Our authority is prompted by directives by the Holy Spirit. Directives by the Holy Spirit are given to present, instruct, correct, awaken, and encourage everyone to the power and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Directives happen anywhere! From our prayers to our conversations to our workplace to our chat rooms on the Internet to the grocery store.

When the Holy Spirit lives in you, you know when He is agitated, correcting, leading, mourning and at peace. Ask Him what He wants you to do... don't let yourself tell you what to do! (Wink)

Here is an example of authority by Paul.
2 Corinthians 10:1-18"Now I, Paul, plead with you. I plead with the gentleness and kindness that Christ himself would use, even though some of you say I am bold in my letters but timid in person. I hope it won’t be necessary, but when I come I may have to be very bold with those who think we act from purely human motives. We are human, but we don’t wage war with human plans or methods. We use God’s mighty weapons, not merely worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil’s strongholds. With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and teach them to obey Christ. And we will punish those who remained disobedient after the rest of you become loyal and obedient. The trouble with you is that you make your decisions on the basis of appearance. You must recognize that we belong to Christ just as much as those who proudly declare that they belong to Christ. I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But this authority is to build you up, not to tear you down…"