Authority in Prayer... principle #7

The seventh and last principle determining our level of authority in prayer ( or any spiritual activity, for that matter) is our assignment. This is the authority that comes from representation. Though we will all have the same level of authority when it comes to accessing our Heavenly Father and petitioning Him for our personal needs in Christ's name, we do not walk in the same level of authority when it comes to fulfilling spiritual assignments.

A good example is the scope of U.S. citizenship. Every U.S. citizen has the exact same constitutional rights, with the same freedoms, liberties, and protections. However, if a U.S. citizen is appointed as an ambassador to another nation, he will possess authority that the average U.S. citizen does not have. Both have the same rights as Americans, but they do not carry the same right of representation.

The same is true in the Kingdom of God. Every Christian is a citizen with the exact same rights and privileges through Christ, as far as personal life is concerned. Every Christian does not, however, possess the same right of representation. When God gives an assignment, just as with any government, He delegates the necessary authority to fulfill that assignment.

There are numerous scriptural examples of this. Paul speaks of it in (2 Corinthians 10: 4-5 ) , regarding his authority to engage in spiritual warfare over the church:

The weapons of our warfare are not of flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

Though we often quote this in the context of doing so for ourselves, which is a valid belief, Paul was speaking here about doing it for others. He was saying " I have authority to war over you and tear down strongholds in your mind that are holding you captive." In verse 6, he makes a bold statement that he was actually ready to punish any disobedience when it arrived. Paul was confident that he possessed much spiritual authority in Corinth.

He later referred to the parameters of this authority that had been given to him. (2 Corinthians 10:13-18 ) We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us-- a sphere which especially includes you. For we are not overextending ourselves ( as though our authority did not extend to you ), for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ; not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men's labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere, to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's sphere of accomplishment.
But "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord." For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

The word he used for measure is metron, which means a limited portion, or, as translated here, a measure. ( We derive our English word meter from this term. ) He then spoke of his "sphere" of authority. This term, kannon, means a sphere of rule, a boundary, a sphere of activity. Paul acknowledged he did not possess the same authority elsewhere as he did at Corinth. Because of his assignment God had measured to him a higher portion of rule in Corinth.

Acts 15 also illustrates this principle. The early church was trying to solve a doctrinal dilemma relating to new Christians from the Gentile community. Even though many Jews had become Christians, at this point in time they were still under the assumption that they needed to carry out many traditions of the Jewish faith. When the Gentiles began receiving Christ, the obvious question was "Do we make them fulfill these Judaistic rites?"

After much discussion, James stood and basically said, "I have heard all the reports and arguments, here is what we are going to do." He then made his declaration, and there was no further discussion. It is clear that each member present did not have the same level of authority--they did not have the same assignment. James had obviously been assigned by God to be the lead person in the Jerusalem church.

There is still another example of this in Exodus 32. Moses had been on the mountain receiving God's law for Israel, when God told him to the people because they were engaged in sin. This is where the Israelites fashioned a golden calf to worship as an idol. Look at the Lord's words concerning why this happened: "Moses saw that the people were out of control--for Aaron had let them get out of control to be a derision among their enemies." ( Exodus 32:25)

This is a profound indication of how literal is the authority God gives to us for our assignment. The direct insinuation is that Aaron possessed the authority, had he chosen to exercise it, to stop this idolatry regardless of how many Israelites wanted to participate in it. If he had declared the Israel was not going to this, God would have backed up his authority and somehow stopped it. We absolutely do have the authority to fulfill the assignment God gives us.

There is, of course, a reciprocal level of humility that must accompany our confidence. No matter how much authority any of us possesses spiritually, we must always remember that it is delegated to us through Christ.

Alex Haley, author of Roots, has a picture of in his office, showing a turtle sitting atop a fence. The picture is there to remind him of a lesson he learned long ago: " If you see a turtle sitting on a fence post, you know he had some help."
Says Alex, "Any time I start thinking, Wow, isn't this marvelous what I have done! I look at that picture and remember how this turtle--me--got up on that post."

We're all turtles when it comes to authority. Without Christ we're helpless and easy prey for sin, Satan, and life's negative circumstances. Nor do we have the means to fulfill any spiritual assignment to overcome evil and establish life and righteousness. However, with Christ as our Head and the Holy Spirit as our Helper, we're equipped to conquer evil and see the Kingdom of God established in the earth.

Daniel was allowed to look into the future and glimpse amazing events concerning the end times. One thing he saw--though he probably didn't fully understand it--was Christ coming as the Son of Man to establish His Kingdom or dominion on earth. ( Daniel 7:13-14) " I was watching in the night vision, And behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him.
Then to Him was given Dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed."

Though scripture promises that one day Christ will return to earth, rid it of all His enemies, and fully establish His kingdom here, there can be no doubt that this "everlasting" rule began at the cross. The effect of this kingdom rule is increasing--Jesus said His Kingdom is like leaven that spreads until it overcomes all others. ( Matthew 13:33 ) Another parable He spoke to them: " The Kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal until it was all leavened." And Isaiah said in ( Isaiah 9:7) " Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end. Upon the throne of David and over the kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward. The zeal of the Lord of Host will perform this."

We are part of this increase. The influence of Christ's kingdom has reached exponential growth. The power of this divine, unstoppable leaven is conquering everything in it's path. You are a part of this. The church of Christ is moving from being congregational to being congressional--moving outside the walls of our gathering places and into the halls of kingdom legislation. We are dangerous to evil, we are unavoidably, and we are undefeatable.

You were created to be a part of God's government of the earth, and when you were born again that calling was ratified. Take the sword and the scepter and begin to govern your world. Serve notice to the powers of darkness that their chest--sitting days are over where you and yours are concerned. Beginning with your private world-- conquer! Then in your extended world--overcome! And finally, in your universal world--rule!

To the victors belong the spoils.