Welcome to this week's blog. This week, let's focus on God's authority over the heavens, on earth, and in our lives. The words I write are my personal interpretation that are supported and backed up by scripture.
Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. - Matthew 28:18-20.
Do you know and follow the commands of Jesus, Lord and Savior? By His authority, we are to obey His biblical instructions all the days of our lives. His commands are clearly laid out in scripture and apply to all people of all colors and from all nations. Keep in mind, He asks this of us because He is the ultimate creator of heaven and earth and everything in it. Every man, woman and child is subject to God's leading authority. And, if anyone shall resist His authority, they will incur judgment. By obeying His commands, we will find comfort and knowledge that, as we fulfill His commandments, He is always with us. There should be no fear of doing wrong or to fear our enemies because He is by our side. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. - Luke 10:19-20.
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore, one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience . . . - Romans 13:1-7.
When Jesus left his disciples, He left them with a very important set of instructions during His absence that they were to fulfill until His return. Two thousand years ago the disciples were under the authority of Jesus when they were told to go and make more disciples. These historical instructions still apply to us today. All of us are to go out and baptize when we've been given authority to do so, and teach everyone why and how to obey God's commandments. The historical instruction was worldwide then, and remains the same today.
Whether we are traveling to our next-door neighbors or down the street, or to our neighboring cities, states and countries, we are to make disciples, just as Jesus' disciples were instructed too two thousand years ago. This is not an option, but a command for those of us who call Jesus Lord and Savior.
Just as God gave His son Jesus authority over heaven and earth, Jesus has instructed the same upon all believers. Draw them near. Lead them to me. When Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged, he said to Jesus, Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you? Jesus answered, You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore, he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin. - John 19:10-11.
Who has authority to forgive sins or heal each other? Not even the Pope has authority over God to forgive sins or perform miraculous healings unless the authority has been given to them from above. It's easy to tell someone their sins are forgiven, but it's a lot more difficult to miraculously heal someone. It is only through Jesus' words and actions that He has the power to forgive and heal. As humans, our words lack meaning if our actions cannot back them up, or we haven't been granted the authority to do so by God. We can say we love God or others, but if we are not taking practical steps to prove our love, our words are unfulfilled and pointless without actions or instruction from God to do so.
But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. So He said to the paralyzed man, Get up, take your mat and go home. Then the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man. - Matthew 9:6-8.
Blessings until next week,
Debra M. Pauli Unstoppable Believer