In a football game, you can’t dispute the physical power of the players. However, all their power disappears when a referee makes a ruling. The referee has the authority to control the power. These realities are parallel regarding God’s authority and our perception of power.
Ultimate Authority and Power are God’s Alone
Ultimate Authority:
“For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.”
Col. 1:16, NASB95
“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.”
Rom. 13: 1, NASB95
Absolute and complete authority originates from God because he is the sovereign Creator. Unlike imperfect people, only a perfect God will not misuse his absolute authority. God does not cause people to misuse their power, but sometimes he allows it to fulfill his plan.
God allowed his only Son, Jesus, to be flogged, abused, and crucified so that anyone who comes to his through Christ’s salvation can be saved. How can we doubt his ultimate authority? God and Jesus could have stopped mere humans at any time. Yet, they knew Jesus had to die for us and believed we were worth dying for!
Having God as our ultimate authority as believers releases us from feeling like we have to know everything and do everything perfectly. All we have to do is trust in God and obey all his ways. And we don’t have to do it on our own because Jesus and the Holy Spirit are living in us! The love of God displayed his authority and power through Christ should make us shout for joy and praise God!
Ultimate Power:
Power is defined as the ability to do something or act in a particular way, especially as a faculty or quality. We are nothing compared to God’s power in our imperfect human condition. We didn’t create the universe and all that exists. Even those who hold power over others through goodness or treachery will not retain their power on earth and into eternity.
Our enemy often uses the illusion and our lust for power to lure us into the sin of pride. The sin of pride uses self-focused motives and desires that do not honor Jesus and God. Satan used these schemes to deceive Adam and Eve, and he will keep using them until we become wise and stop him. He knows he has no power over God’s children, only influence through temptation when believers allow it.
Through Salvation in Jesus Christ, We Are Empowered
Jesus comes to live in us through salvation with all his power and authority. He gives us the ability to learn, grow, and walk with him in his fullness daily on earth and into eternity. When we are disciples of Jesus, any good or power given to us comes only through him. We are nothing without Jesus, and we must never forget this fact.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
John 15:4-5, NASB95
Jesus came to earth to teach us because he knew we would struggle to understand how mere humans can do God’s work. Although we don’t have him in body form, God gave us His Word and the Holy Spirit to help us. To have an intimate relationship with God and Jesus, we must study the Bible daily and obey it.
Finding a church that teaches, preaches, and lives according to all of its precepts is vital. There can be no “only the feel-good stuff,” “only damnation,” “name it and claim it,” or any other al la carte version of faith.
Jesus didn’t give us parts of himself; he gave us his all. Being a disciple of Christ means we vow to give him ALL of our hearts, minds, and souls. We pledge to learn and follow his ways in complete surrender and obedience. We are ALL in!
How to Live in God’s Ultimate Authority and Power
The more your relationship grows with Jesus through God’s word, prayer, and praises, the easier it will be to keep your focus on kingdom purposes and not on what is wrong in the world or what you think you should or can’t do. Jesus came to teach us his saving gospel message that can change people’s hearts and lives right now and where they will spend eternity.
Once you have received salvation and are being discipled, Jesus commissioned you to share it. The honor, gratitude, and love you feel for Jesus because he saved your soul and made you a new creation should move you to share his message. Sharing Christ’s message will bring persecution at times because Jesus faced the same. Jesus tells us.
If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.
John 15:18-21, NASB95
These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33, NASB95
With Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit living in us, we can share Christ’s saving gospel because we know that we will spend eternity with them. We are children of the Creator of the universe, and He is God, our loving Father. Let us work with Jesus in his authority and power and be his witnesses so everyone will hear of Christ’s salvation and be given the opportunity to choose Jesus!
