Do you remember when you were teaching your kid how to drive your car? I’m sure this is where our grey hair begins to grow.
You were constantly reminding him to look twice both ways, to keep a proper distance from the car in front of you, and to not be distracted by his music or friends. Your entire goal was for both of you to return home alive and in one piece. But one day you fearfully gave your keys to your child, and he drove all alone.
Rewind 2,000 years to this conversation with Jesus and His disciples. It was like He was giving them the keys to the car, and saying “okay boys, let’s go for a ride!” Jesus was giving them His authority. Would they abuse it or misuse it?
Bruce Davenport writes, “We have the power to bind the enemy, to change situations and circumstances, and to align them with the will of God. This is a foundational attribute of the church!”
“And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19 KJV
And it’s true. Believers have much more power in Jesus’ name than they realize. Yes, we can misuse it. But God has entrusted us with His power to set people free, to speak the truth in love, and to declare His forgiveness to the worst of sinners.
That’s why our spoken testimony is so crucial to be heard. People need to be set free, and we have the ability to help them! When they hear how Christ set us free, then they also want what we have!
“Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.” Romans 1:5 NLT
Did you get that? We have both the privilege and authority to speak for God and tell others the good news of Jesus. Privilege and authority.
Recently, I had the privilege to pray with a businessman while on a flight in Africa. I later found he was an Ambassador sent to three other nations. Wow…an Ambassador! But then I thought, wait! We are all Ambassadors…not just speaking for one nation, but speaking for the King of the Universe! Wow! Privilege and authority. Let’s use it now!