Speaking With Authority

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all. [2 Thessalonians 3.16]

While this closing statement made by Paul through his scribe to the church at Thessalonica is nice, there is also a spiritual principle made obvious through it. Paul is exercising an 'authoritative' measure of speaking blessing upon his readers.

We see similar wording in Jesus' teaching on how to pray:

May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. [Matthew 6.10]

The interpretation of the original language comes across as one would speak with authority on behalf of another.

Do we realize that we are to speak on behalf of God? Do we realize the authority vested in us as believers to actually do so?

Recently we read about this little statement made by Peter:

Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up, and roll up your sleeping mat!” And he was healed instantly. [Acts 9.34]

Here again, we see a believer speaking with authority on behalf of the One believed in.

Where does this confidence to speak on behalf of God come from? The Holy Spirit. If then, we do not experience that confident authority, could it not be possible that we do not have the Holy Spirit (let's just get real here)? And, to dig further, if we do not have the Holy Spirit, is it not dangerously questionable whether or not we are actually saved? NOTE: We can't use the early believers as our excuse for not having the Holy Spirit because they had not even heard there was a Holy Spirit - but we have heard.

Religion has consoled the lazy believer for far too long. If we as believers are not doing the works that identify us as "Christian" or "Christ-like," then who are we kidding? Starting with Jesus and carried on by the early believers, there was power associated with being filled with and led by the Holy Spirit. The early believers spoke with authority as did Jesus. The early believers witnessed the miraculous.

For me this journey to authority begins with Matthew 6.10 above. As I pray this over people in private, I am finding increasing more boldness to declare it over people in public. I fully intend to continue doing so and, (as a case in point) may the Lord empower me to do works that identify Jesus in me.

So, let me take this a bit further: May the Lord Himself reveal this truth to you that you are His representative to speak on His behalf by the unction and power of His Holy Spirit! So be it!

Father, may You find us growing every day - learning more and exercising what we have learned for the furtherance of Your Kingdom!