Using the power

 

Speaking of the Light of the world, the Word, the Christ, the Apostle John wrote (Jn. 1:11-12, KJV): “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” The Darby and others have, “…to them gave he the right to be children of God.”

Speaking to His disciples, Jesus also said: “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” Lk 10:19

If this is the case, if we Christians are to tread over ALL the power of the enemy, why then are there so much defeats, defeatism and hopelessness in the lives of many of us?

He gave the power… Have they all used it? After the two months following the presidential election In the USA, although he now bears the title of President-Elect and his life has totally changed (bodyguards, honours etc.), as long as he is not sworn into office, he can hardly decide on any important thing. In other words, what is power if it cannot be (is not) used?

Besides, the transfer of power to someone after an election is not enough to make a great Head of State out of them. It simply gives them the opportunity to become one. Every Christian has been given the power to become a child of GOD, but nothing says they will actually ever become one. The creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God (Rom 8:19). The potential is there, but the revelation of this potential –the expression of the Kingdom of GOD- may never be manifested.

He gave the right… Have they all realised it? Have they all enjoyed it? Like the brother of the prodigal son (Lk 15), many do not realise that they have the right to… and they don’t enjoy it. The elder brother of the prodigal son did not understand that EVERYTHING was his and that he only had to say a word and the servants – Creation, nature, angels and demons- would have immediately executed it. He did not know the difference between him, the heir, and his rich father’s servants/slaves. He was totally unaware of the fact that he could have a party with his friends every month if he wanted, without having to justify it. Unfortunately, this is also the sad condition of many Christians today.

Movies aside, it is not enough to wear a policeman’s uniform to work as one. It takes more than wearing a surgeon’s clothes to perform an operation on people. As the saying goes, it is not the cowl that makes the friar. If a policeman walks into a pub where people are fighting and breaking everything, everyone will stop and expect arrests. However, if the officer goes to the counter to order a drink and looks overwhelmed by the situation in spite of all the signs of power and authority on him, then, something is utterly wrong and the bedlam will quickly resume. This is what the world, angels and demons witness whenever a Christian doesn’t use the authority that he is invested with to bring order and peace back around him.

Paul said that GOD has raised us up with Christ Jesus and seated us with Him in the heavenly places (Eph 2:6). This is our position. If somebody is looking for us, they need to lift their eyes up to heaven where we are seated in Christ Jesus and wherefrom we look down on/at everything. From that exalted and high position, if we stand, we’ll tread on everything, automatically, just as Jesus said. How then can people as highly seated and as much hidden and protected, tremble before the enemy and panic in front of problems? Ignorance and lack of faith will lead us to this absurdity.

It is worthless having salt or a powerful lamp at home if you never use them. When you believed in the Lord Jesus, you received the power –the policeman’s uniform, the magistrate’s gown, the doctor's smock – to become a child of GOD. However, you’ll truly become one when you use the power invested on you, when you use your salt to stop the corruption and preserve the lives of many around you, and when you put your lamp where it can shine for many. Once again, the Word of GOD has come to His own, it has come to you; are you going to receive it so that you can become? Are you going to use the power that it is giving you?

Have a ‘wonderblessed’ week, basking in His presence and using the power He has entrusted you with.