Ephesians 4:6, Luke 4:5-8, Matthew 3:17, John 5:30, Matthew 16:19, John 16:7, Ephesians 1:20-22 and 2:6, Matthew 18:18

Deborah Mitchell considers the spiritual authority we have as God's sons.

Deborah Mitchell
Deborah Mitchell

Several years ago I was staying in a hotel with a friend. I had been ministering in a church in the evening and stayed overnight in a basic travel lodge with two single beds.

Early in the morning we woke up with a start. We sensed the peaceful loving presence of Jesus. Jesus walked into the room. He spoke with my friend and told her not to worry about a situation at home and that He had it in the palm of His hand. We didn't see Him visibly, but we did see and hear Him in the spirit.

We later found out there had been an incident involving her family, at that exact time Jesus spoke to her. She was greatly reassured that God was in control. It was such a precious time.

Desiring that experience again, I was praying and asking God to walk into my room. Jesus did answer, however as usual it was not with the answer I expected, but as always it was perfect.

He led me to the scripture in Ephesians 4:6. Jesus spoke to my heart and said, "I live in you". I was aware that God wanted me to be more conscious of His presence. To us who have received Jesus as Lord and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we are to be led by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

What an exciting adventure, to live as naturally supernatural beings. To think that the great commission to go forth and multiply has never left the heart of God. He walked in the cool of the garden regularly talking with Adam. They must have had long enjoyable conversations, perhaps about the animals and the great Garden of Eden.

How it must have broken God's heart to see Adam disobey Him and turn His authority over to Satan. This is seen in Luke 4:5-8, when at the temptations of Jesus, Satan promised he would give Him the authority that had been turned over to him, if He bowed down and worshiped him just once. The second Adam, Jesus, refused to bow down though and stated that He would worship God only.

Jesus was perfectly submitted to God His Father. We see this at His baptism in the desert in Matthew 3:17, when the Holy Spirit came upon Him and the heavens opened up and God spoke saying, "This is my Son in whom I am well pleased", declaring His authority as a Son. Also in John 5:30, Jesus states He does nothing without the leading of the Father. In His perfect submission He walked in divine authority. He then passed that authority back to us, giving us the keys of the Kingdom (Matthew 16:19).

When Jesus told the disciples He would be leaving, they were distraught. He had already been crucified and had risen and they did not want to lose Him again. He responded by comforting them, letting them know that it was better for Him to leave, as He would be sending another (John 16:7). He would teach them all things.

I believe the Lord is wakening His Church up to the truth of whose they are and who we are. We can see this explained to us in Ephesians 1:20-22 and 2:6. We are seated together with Him in heavenly places, far above powers and principalities. He has given us dominion on this earth as sons of God through our union in Christ.

I remember a few years back hearing bad news about a loved one. I fell on my knees and cried out to God in panic and despair. As I was crying out, I felt a sharp rebuke in my spirit, "What are you doing?" I knew instantly and jumping up I started to take authority in the name of Jesus and rebuke the sickness. It declares in Matthew 18:18 that whatever we permit on earth is permitted in Heaven and whatever we bind on earth is bound in heaven. Praise the Lord my loved one was totally recovered.

The situation must submit to the name of Jesus and the written word of God. Just as Jesus used the scripture when He spoke to Satan and refused to bow when He was in the wilderness, we also must use the written word and be led by His Spirit that dwells within us.

We are certainly not orphans, but we are overcomers in Him, as we walk in a personal relationship with Jesus.

I pray that you are encouraged in your most holy faith. That you walk closely with your Heavenly Father who loves you and that you have a deeper revelation of the great commission to go forth and multiply and subdue in the name of Jesus. May God's grace and favour abound to you. CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.