Over the past several weeks, we have discussed how Jesus has the authority to do what he wants, how he possesses the ability to do have authority, Jesus has the influence and privilege to have this authority, and the truth that Jesus holds authority in governmental ways. 

Today we are going to take a look at the authority we have been given. 

We are given authority

We have seen how Jesus has given his followers the same type of exousia he has been given. While Jesus was given this authority because of who he is, we are given this authority to heal the sick, cast out demons, and to influence the world around us simply because we are surrendered to Jesus as the lord of our life. Are there other ways we are given exousia besides this?

• We are given authority to build up others 

“For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭10‬ ‭(ESV)‬‬

• We are given authority to be children of God

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,” John‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬ ‭(ESV‬)‬

• We are given authority to lead others to deliverance from the power of Satan, and into the receiving of forgiveness of sins. 

“to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’” Acts‬ ‭26‬:‭18‬ ‭(ESV)‬‬

What areas of your life do you need to learn to walk in the authority given to you by Jesus? Do you need to learn to walk in the authority of knowing you even have any authority? 

Dog Fight 

Last summer my family and I were vacationing in Colorado. It’s a place we go to with the whole extended family each year. We were eating at a burger stand, and enjoying each other’s company. There were other families sitting, some sitting with their dogs laying next to them. It was a beautiful day for eating outdoors. 

As we sat there, a dog that was not leashed, and didn’t seem to have an owner nearby came up to the family sitting next to us. This family had a german shepherd. The stray dog came up to greet the german shepherd. Then he started acting like he wanted to fight the german shepherd. 

The owner of the german shepherd got up and told the stray dog to leave. He knew the authority he had over the stray dog, and used it to stop a dog fight in the middle of the outdoor restaurant. 

I was amazed at the sight of this man just using his God given authority to make the stray dog leave. I knew that I didn’t believe that I had that same kind of authority. If I was in charge there would have been a dog fight. It would have been disastrous. You see, as a child I was terrified of dogs. I am good now, as long as the owners are close by or my husband is with me. If I am alone and a stray dog comes up to me I still have that deep fear and panic that comes up. I still don’t fully understand the authority God has given to me over the animals. I am working on growing in this area, but it’s just something that takes time. 

Thankfully, this man knew exactly the power and authority he held and stopped the dogs from fighting. He made the stray leave, and the stray obeyed because he had to. 

Maybe you are like me and still learning the authority God has given to you as a child of God. We have authority in the physical as well as in the spiritual. I encourage you to spend some time in prayer seeking the Lord for direction in learning about the authority Jesus carries and the authority he has graciously given to us as his disciples. 
Part 1  Part 2 Part 3