“To Usward Who Believe”
This is from the book “The Authority of The Believer” by John A. MacMillan
This is from excerpts that have been “sorta” re written, but still so close as to NEVER lose the meaning or subject of the excerpts in any way whatsoever. Only in a way to make the notes I took from the book more cohesive to read, study, take from, and receive.
It is not enough that the Divine Fulness outpours unstinted supplies. There must be a receptive heart and attitude on our part. Yet because their minds have been “holden” as they read the Word, the simplicity and glory of this truth have not dawned upon them. Do we not need continually to pray with deep heart-humility that “the eyes of our mind may be enlightened”?
We do not truly believe unless our conviction is manifested in our life. Do we believe that God “hath quickened us together with Christ, and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus”? If we do, our reaction will be fervent:
“Lord, I accept Thy gracious word. I believe that Thou hast thus wrought for me. In humble faith I now take my seat in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus at Thy right hand. Teach me how to fulfil this sacred ministry, how to exercise the authority which Thou hast entrusted to me. Train me day by day that I may attain to the full stature of the perfect man in Christ, so that in me Thy purpose of the ages may be fulfilled. Amen.”
If we are walking in the Spirit, our normal life is in the heavenlies. To secure this consciousness, there must be daily acceptance of the fact. Morning by morning, as one of our first acts of worship, let us take our seat with Christ and return thanks to God for all that it implies. Let us often remind ourselves that we are seated far above all the powers of the air, and that they are in subjection to us.
As our faith learns to use the Name and Authority of Jesus, we shall find spiritual forces yielding obedience in ways that will surprise us. As we continue to abide closely in Him, our prayers for the advancement of the Kingdom will become less the uttering of petitions and increasingly the exercise of spiritual authority that recognizes no national boundaries, but fearlessly binds the forces of darkness in any part of the world.
Victory Through Divine Authority
Victory over the powers of the air, from their dread prince downwards, is a demonstrated possibility. But its attainment comes alone through the employment of Divine aid. Since Eden, man has forgotten that God is essential. Christ was the first of all our race that ever cast Himself fully upon God. “He was crucified through weakness” (2 Corinthians 13:4). When this was accomplished, nothing more stood in the way. God raised Him from the dead, stripped His foes of their authority, and set Him on high over them.
With believers, the consuming desire to be independent is something which even the regenerate heart does not fully overcome. Yet with profound humility, we may go with the greatest boldness in the Name of Jesus. In the exercise of authority, there is needed a Divine courage that fears nothing but God, and reaches out strong hands to bind and restrain all that is contrary to Him.
The Requisites of Authority
But with this courage there must be:
- Continual and close abiding in God
- A spirit alert to every urge and check from Him
- A mind steeped in the Word of God
Only thus shall we walk worthy of our high calling, exercising the authority that is ours in Christ, and seeing the Kingdom of God advance through lives surrendered to His will.