Guiding Scripture: Mark 11:28, “They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right to do them?”
Are You Living in your Spiritual Authority in Christ?
Contributing Writer: Christina Price
The dictionary defines authority as (1) the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience and (2) a person or organization having power or control in a particular (typically political or administrative) sphere. In Mark chapter 11, the teachers of religious law challenged the authority of Jesus and demanded to know what power gave him the right to do all these things.
As they challenged the authority of Jesus within the chapter, I couldn’t help thinking that Christians today, sometimes allow our authority to be questioned. Then it raised the question, as followers of Christ:
do we truly know and OWN our spiritual authority in Christ?
From the moment we are saved and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are brought into a right relationship with God. The bible tells us “Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone” (Romans 5:18). Once we decide to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are made right with God. Essentially, Jesus has secured our authority. Living in that righteousness of keeping God as our main source and Christ as our mediator we are plugged into the power and authority God has for his people.
Our Authority as a believer includes the following abilities:
- Preach the gospel – And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Mark 16:15
- Right to be called Child of God – “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12
- Approach God with boldness – “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” Hebrews 4:16
- Power to fight against our enemy, the devil. “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” Ephesians 10:10-11
We often get distracted by the tactics of the devil and look to blame the situation or a particular person and forget we not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 10:12)
Today, be encouraged to own your authority as a Child of God.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for Christ. I receive the spirit that lives in me and know that it is greater than the spirit that lives in this world. I pray for a deeper understanding to fully accept my spiritual authority in you. In Jesus name, amen.
Connect with Christina Price on Instagram and visit www.amazon.com to purchase her devotional memoir Saved By Choice
Christina Price was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in a Hindu household. She accepted Jesus as a teenager after being introduced to Christianity by her mother, who became saved herself just a few years before passing away from cancer. After walking away from her faith for years, Christina recommitted her life to Christ as an adult and is now passionate about the Lord and serving others. She believes sharing her experiences will encourage readers to stretch past the superficial trappings of life, and embrace the sovereignty of God’s purpose in their lives.
