Power and Authority for Believers

February 1

(Luke 4:32, 36 NIV) “They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority. {36} With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!”

(Romans 1:16 NIV) “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”

(Colossians 2:9-10 NIV) “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, {10} and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.”

Jesus had power and authority, and He passed some of that power and authority on to his disciples. That would include us, if we are followers of Jesus. He gave His disciples authority to share the gospel with the world and told them they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. Christians, we have the same power and authority to share the gospel as those early disciples. We have been given fullness in Christ. We have been filled with the Holy Spirit. This gospel that we carry around in our hearts is nothing to be ashamed of. It has authority. It has power for the salvation of everyone who believes. Do you understand what this means? We have the words of life. We have the power that changes lives. We have authority to overcome evil. Christ lives in us. Let him out! Stand and deliver the gospel with power and authority. Honor God’s call on your life. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day