A few hours before his execution, Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judaea, to be judged. Jesus made a remarkable statement.
“‘You would have no authority over me at all, unless it was given to you from above.’” —John 19:11
Many years later, in a letter to believers in Rome, the apostle Paul writes:
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God’s appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God.” — Romans 13:1
God is the source of all authority. He reigns as the supreme ruler of the universe.
What does this truth mean to you and me as loyal followers of Christ today? How does this impact how we live, pray, and serve God?
God Has Given Christ All Authority
Around 2000 years ago, Jesus walked the earth and demonstrated to His disciples how to live with the authority granted by God.
Paul affirmed Christ’s ultimate sovereignty to the Ephesians when he explained the supremacy of Christ over all other powers and authorities,
“God put this power to work in Christ when he 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, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come.” — Ephesians 1:20-21, NRSV
In the book of Hebrews we read that:
“You [God] put all things under his control. ‘For when he put all things under his control, he left nothing outside of his control.’” —Hebrews 2:8
These verses emphasize Christ’s authority over both spiritual and physical realms, assuring us of His ability to fulfill God’s promises and to guide and protect us.
Understanding and embracing this authority can inspire confidence and hope, encouraging victorious living in faith.
Christ Delegates Authority to His Followers
Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he told his disciples:
“‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” —Matthew 28:18
Christ holds ultimate authority and extends it to His followers, empowering us to continue His work on earth. We are entrusted with the responsibility and authority to advance Christ’s kingdom. We are called to exercise this authority in alignment with God’s will and purposes.
Exercise God-given Authority
God gives us the authority and power needed to fulfill our commission and calling.
To effectively use this Kingdom authority, we must seek God’s guidance and wisdom, ensuring our actions are aligned with His will. It is essential to exercise this authority with love and humility.
1. We have the authority to Live out our new identity in Christ.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” —2 Corinthians 5:17
This means that our old nature has been crucified with Christ, and we can now live by faith in Him.
“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” —Galatians 2:20, NLT
Our new identity is rooted in righteousness and holiness.
Exercise authority over your sinful nature by rejecting former behaviors and thoughts contradicting God’s will. Renew your mind with Scripture and live by faith in alignment with your new righteous identity, pleasing God.
2. We have the authority to accomplish God’s will.
“We are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.” —Ephesians 2:10
Aligning your actions and decisions with God’s will involves recognizing and utilizing the time, talent, and treasure God has given us to fulfill His purposes.
Exercise authority over personal ambitions and worldly goals by seeking God’s guidance through prayer and Bible study, and being sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading.
3. We have the authority to be empowered by the Holy Spirit.
“Now to him who by the power that is working within usis able to do far beyond all that we ask or think, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” —Ephesians 3:20-21
A believer cannot successfully live the Christian life through natural means. God designed us to live it supernaturally, trusting in His promises and relying on the Holy Spirit’s power instead of our own abilities.
Recognize that true strength and success can only come through the Holy Spirit’s empowerment, not from our efforts.
Exercise authority over self-reliance by shifting your trust and dependence from your abilities and efforts to God’s power and direction.
4. We have the authority to ask God in Jesus’ name.
Jesus promised:
“I tell you the solemn truth, the person who believes in me will perform the miraculous deeds that I am doing, and will perform greater deeds than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” —John 14:12-14
Approach prayer with faith, believing God hears and answers according to His perfect will. Trust in His power and faithfulness.
Exercise authority in prayer by declaring God’s truth, promises, and purposes over the situation. Speak with conviction and authority in Jesus’ name, believing that His word will come to pass.
5. We have the authority to resist the forces of evil.
“Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.” —Ephesians 6:10–12
Believers live on a spiritual battlefield and are equipped with spiritual armor to triumph over sin, the world, and the forces of darkness.
6. We have the authority to live a Godly life.
The Bible promises:
“We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.” —Romans 6:6, NLT
Just as Christ died and was resurrected, believers have also died to sin and are reborn into a new life in Christ. As a result, we are no longer bound or enslaved by sin. Instead, we are free to live a life that honors God, empowered by His grace.
Exercise authority by considering yourself dead to worldly influences, fleshly desires, and the devil’s manipulation. When considering yourself dead, it eliminates their power over you.
7. We have the authority to triumph in adversity.
“Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will trouble, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?… No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us!” —Romans 8:35, 37
God uses adversity to help believers grow in their faith and develop Christlike character. And God promises that no adversity will ever separate us from His love.
And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. —1 Peter 5:10
Exercise authority over impatience, doubt, and despair in tough times by trusting in God’s unwavering love and faithfulness to help you emerge with your faith intact and victorious.
Use Your God-given Authority
With Christ’s authority, we can boldly share the gospel. Jesus instructed us to make disciples of all nations. By spreading His message and living out His teachings, we can grow His Kingdom and showcase the power of His love and grace.
How will you use this authority to fulfill your calling and advance His Kingdom?