Contributor: Alex Alajiki

INTRODUCTION:
Last week, we considered the topic “Faith's Role in Authority”. We discovered that there is an important link between faith and exercising authority. Lack of understanding of this link will frustrate the believer from exercising authority. Authority is only realized through faith in God’s Word; therefore, authority and faith must go hand in hand. Faith and boldness are developed through sound knowledge of God’s words and submission to His authority.
Today we are looking at Exercising Authority. Let us start with the analysis of an experiment;

Some years ago, an experiment in human behaviour produced intriguing results. Those taking part were divided into two groups. One group were appointed as guards (Victors) and were put in charge of the other group, who were assigned to be prisoners (Victims).What happened?

Within a few days, it was reported, most of the guards (Victors) had become bold and assertive, while the prisoners had become cowed and subservient. The conclusion that researchers came to was this: You gradually become whatever you are told or accepted that you are.

                           “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”   Prov.23:7

1) Christ’s Position with God; Eph.1:19-22

“and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.”

When Jesus rose from the dead, he already defeated the host of hell according to Col.2:15 “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”

Then God raised Him and seated Him at His right hand in heavenly places, the position of authority and power. “He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places”
His position and authority is far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. All other authority is made subject to Christ.

This authority is exercise on earth through the name of Jesus Christ which is above every name according to
Phil.2:9-11 “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

2) Our Position in Christ Jesus; Eph.2:4-6

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
The moment we are born again, our sins are not only forgiven, we are also made a new creature according to 2 Cor.5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Our new identity in Christ Jesus made us to be joint heir with Christ and heir of His father according to
Rom.8:16-17 “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

This new positional reality was confirmed when Jesus rose from the dead and we were raised and seated with Him in heavenly places. In the mind of God, we were raised when Christ was raised. When Christ sat down, we sat down, too. That's where we are now, positionally speaking: We're seated at the right hand of the Father with Christ. The act of Christ's being seated implies that, for the time being, at least, certain aspects of His work are suspended because we are to continue with His work on earth according to John 20:21 “So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

3) The Authority of Our Position; Luke 10:19
“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

Our authority to trample on all powers of the devil is because of our seating position in heavenly places in Christ Jesus according to Eph.2:6 “and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

Eph.1:20-21 “which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.”

Christ is not only seated at the right hand of the Father, above all the powers in Satan's realm, but we're there, too, because God "hath raised us up together." Not only have we been made to sit, but notice where we are sitting: "Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion...."
All the authority that was given to Christ belongs to us through Him, and we can exercise it. We help Him by carrying out His work upon the earth. And one aspect of His work that the word of God tells us to do is to conquer the devil! In fact, Christ can't do His work on the earth without us just like we cannot exercise authority without Him.

Conclusion.
Ephesians 6:12 says, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers...."
Since we are already seated far above the kingdom of darkness, in our battle against the enemy and his forces, we need to keep in mind that we're above them and we have authority over them. The Word tells us that Jesus has conquered them. Our job is to enforce His victory. His victory belongs to us, but we are to carry it out using the authority of His name.