JESUS GAVE YOU POWER OVER YOUR PROBLEMS

By Pastor Mitch Horton | May 2006 | Posted in • Archives | (0) Comments “…If God be for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32) “…All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore…” (Matthew 28:18-19) In last month’s issue, I mentioned the fact that although God’s original purpose was to bless humanity, a thief was allowed to rob us of the blessings that God provided for us. Adam’s original sin (Romans 5:12) brought us separation from God, and allowed Satan to rule on earth for a limited time period. (See Matthew 8:29; Revelation 12:12) His rule is the reason our planet is plagued by hatred, strife, wars, need, poverty, sickness, disease, rebellion, decay, depravity, and death. Satan’s time-limited rule on earth is recognized by Jesus in John 14:30: “I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in me.” Paul mentions Satan’s rule in 2 Corinthians 4:4: “…whose mind the god of this age has blinded…” In John’s first epistle we read, “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19) The Living Paraphrase of this verse is clear: “…the rest of the world around us is under Satan’s power and control.” Paul mentions Satan’s rule in Ephesians: “…in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that works in the sons of disobedience.” (Ephesians 2:3) He also states in Ephesians 6 that we wrestle not with fellow human beings, but against “principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) After several weeks of prayer and fasting, Daniel received the answer to his prayers for his people through an angel that appeared to him. The angel revealed that he was sent the first day that Daniel prayed, but that “the prince of the kingdom of Persia” had hindered him from getting to Daniel until Michael, one of the archangels, came to help him push through their opposition (See Daniel 10:2-13) From these scriptures, we can see that Satan is here exercising control over affairs on the earth. He has a legal right to do this. Adam gave him that legal right when he yielded to Satan’s suggestions. And from this satanic control, we can see that all of the evils that happen on earth are as a result of man’s sin and Satan’s subsequent dominion. When you face problems in life, don’t blame them on God! He’s not at fault. Blame them on the fall of man and on Satan’s stealing, killing, and destroying. Don’t make the mistake of blaming them on God. He wants to deliver you, and has made a way of escape for you. Satan wants you to blame God for your problems so that you will become embittered and remain in his captivity. God has given you a way of escape from Satan’s snares, and from the challenges life brings on this fallen planet. He did this by giving you authority over Satan through Jesus’ death and resurrection, and by giving you the ability to walk by faith! When Jesus was raised from the dead, He gave back to the church Adam’s lost dominion on earth! When Jesus said, “Go ye therefore” there in Matthew 28, He was literally giving back to us our lost authority. HE already had authority before He went to the cross. Jesus became the second Adam and the last Adam, and the firstborn from the dead for us! (See 1 Corinthians 15:45, 47; Colossians 1:18) We now have the same authority Jesus had when He was raised from the dead! “…and raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6) This is a place “…far above 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.” (Ephesians 1:21) We have been delivered from the power of darkness, and God has “transferred us into the kingdom of the son of His love.” (Colossians 1:13) We have been given power to tread over serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing by any means will hurt us! (See Luke 10:19) We are to submit ourselves to God and resist the devil and he will flee from us! (James 4:7) The Holy Spirit in us is greater than the control that Satan exerts over this fallen world! (1 John 4:4) We can now say with Paul, “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ..,” (2 Corinthians 2:11), and “…thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Corinthians 15:57) Satan knows that Jesus defeated him in Jesus’ death and resurrection, and that Jesus gave back to the church Adam’s lost authority. He continues to walk about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8) And the sad truth is, most ChristianS allow him to keep them in a state of defeat! But you don’t have to stay defeated! Satan preys on ignorance. It is still true that “my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6) A believer that does not know his rights and privileges in Christ is often as bound as an unbeliever by Satan’s oppression! The only way of escape from Satan’s control is BY FAITH! We are to resist Satan steadfast in faith! (1 Peter 5:9) The victory that overcomes the world is our faith! (1 John 5:4) The shield that quenched all the fiery darts (attacks) of Satan is the shield of faith! (Ephesians 6:16) We are encouraged to fight the good fight of faith! (1Timothy 6:12) We are to walk by faith and not by sight! (2 Corinthians 5:7) Without faith it impossible to please God! (Hebrews 11:6) He is pleased when we take advantage of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us to be free. I encourage you to begin to pursue God by faith. Pursue a lifestyle of faith. Jesus wants you free from Satan’s rule so that you can set others free. Your freedom is in walking by faith. Start your journey of faith today by believing that God’s word is more powerful than your present circumstances. Take your stand on God’s Word. The faith life is a life that is governed by God’s Word. As the Word begins to control what you say, how you think, and how you act, Satan’s control over you becomes weaker and weaker. Tests come your way because Satan hates to lose control over anyone. But as you persist in faith, he has to back off. You are a winner. You are more than a conqueror! (Romans 8:37-39) In next month’s issue, we will discuss the practical how-to’s of walking by faith.