Go therefore - Part 2

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Whenever you see the word therefore, go back and see what the therefore is there for.  Before we can get to the "going", we need to have a good understanding of the conditions in which we are called to go.  Let's back up to verse 18 in Matthew 28.  There Jesus said ...

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."

This statement by Jesus is huge.  How often are we guilty of running off to accomplish something without seeing the full picture?  Jesus didn't call us to go in our own might.  He didn't call us to go in our own wisdom.  He didn't call us to go in our own authority.  He called us to go with His!  

Authority is defined as 'the power to determine, adjudicate or otherwise settle issues, the right to control, command or determine.'  Our movement for the kingdom is driven by the authority of God Himself.  We are no longer under the authority of Satan, the enemy of our soul.  As children of God, we realize that Jesus has all power to determine issues in and around our lives.  And understanding this frames our going.  We don't go in our own wisdom, we are called to go in His.  We don't go in our own strength, we are called to go in His.  We don't go in our own will, we go in His.  All the while knowing that wherever we are called to go, and whatever we are called to face, we do it with His authority in us.  We are no longer subject to the schemes and plans of this world.  We can live through it and above it because we serve the One with all the authority.

What frames our action in our relationship with Jesus is our understanding this.  Satan would love to have us believe that we have no authority over our circumstances, but nothing could be farther from the truth.  We have all authority from Jesus himself.  But we are called to EXERCISE this authority in word and deed as we go forward.  A couple of thoughts:
  • Jesus said He has all authority both in Heaven and on Earth.  Well ... that pretty much sums it up.  Not much left there.  You can relax knowing that right where you are, you're not out from under His jurisdiction.  
  • This isn't a green light to do whatever you want.  We are still called to be responsible with our lives.  Remember, this whole thing is about relationship.  As we ACKNOWLEDGE Him, He will direct our steps.  Authority can be abused and that's not what we are talking about here.  
  • It's not enough to just know about authority, we have to be disciplined to exercise it.  Authority is displayed in times of confrontation, not just peace.  Your understanding and belief in who really has authority will be tested.  The question is, will you choose to stand on His authority or shrink back from the challenge.  Paul said, "having done all, STAND!"
 So before we go, remember that you go with authority.  You can REST in this revelation.  You go with the creator of the universe with you and inside of you.  You go knowing that He has given you His name ... the name above all names and authority to win the battle. 

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