April 15, 2024
The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith”.
- Matthew 8: 8-10 (NKJV)
The word "authority" means to have the power or the right to give orders, make decisions and enforce obedience. Many times, the word authority creates a vision of the Army, the Police, and the Government. These are all bodies that represent power and ensure compliance by citizens. There is hierarchy and order based on the foundations of these establishments. Authority in the spiritual mirrors the physical, hence as a child of God, you possess authority in the spirit and as such, your life should be a representation of your rank in the spirit.
The Centurion in today's reading understood authority because he was in the military. He knew that by speaking to lower-ranking officers, he could elicit actions that they could not disobey. He knew that Jesus was also of high ranking in the spirit hence, He did not need to come under his roof to heal his servant. He only needed to say a word and there will be healing. This calls us to ask the question: what we are enforcing with the spiritual authority that God has freely given us as born-again Christians? How are we exercising the authority that we have?
Authority in the spiritual mirrors the physical, hence as a child of God, you possess authority in the spirit and as such, your life should be a representation of your rank in the spirit.
How does authority work? Authority works by speaking. In the operation of authority, we should be able to remove anything that should not be present by command. Sickness, barrenness, poverty, and untimely death should not stand a chance when you have the authority of God.
Spiritual authority should also call forth good tidings. As Christians, we should be able to command healing, promotion, and protection to us based on the spiritual ranking we have obtained from God.
Our authority as Christians mainly come from Jesus and our Power comes from the Holy Ghost. Anyone who is born again and has received Jesus is far above all principalities and powers. To understand your position is to understand your standing with God. If you are not calling forth blessings and destroying the plans of the devil, what are you doing?
You are seated in Christ; you are highly placed. Look at life differently because nothing is above Christ. Remove, call forth and conquer. If it is not above Christ, then it is not above you. Stop disregarding your authority in Christ. Instead, stand fast in it, and exercise it in your life.
Song of Worship
In Christ Alone I stand – 1x.
All other grounds is sinking sands - 2x
Prayer - Dear Lord, thank you for establishing our authority through Jesus Christ. Thank you for the opportunity to command and shame the devil. When things are tough, give us the strength to cast out evil, call forth miracles and declare restoration by the Blood of Jesus, Amen. May we not forget who we are in Christ in Jesus Name, Amen.
Bible in 1 year: 2 Samuel 1-2; Luke 14