Ephesians 1:19b-23: That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Last time we discussed his incomparably great power for us who believe. This passage continues with the discussion of the awesome power of God.
The power of God that is available to the church is like the great working of his strength when God raised Jesus from the dead. Let that thought sink deep into your thinking. The very same power that rose Jesus from the dead dwells in you.
Do you realize how much Satan wanted to stop the resurrection of Jesus Christ? If somehow Satan can stop the bodily resurrection of Jesus then he has won. But the power of God is far greater than the power of Satan.
In Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost he set forth the truth about God's power. Acts 4:24: But God raised him from the dead, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
Satan did not even have a chance against the power of God. The power of death is weak and impotent when it meets the power of God.
It is true that we as believers are growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have not "arrived" yet. However, for us to continue to mature and grow in God we must allow this truth to permeate our thinking. There is no foe of hell that can stand against you, when you choose to stand in faith in the reality of his power.
This is not a promise, this is a fact!!
If you are born again, the Holy Spirit lives inside of you right now. Whatever dimension of the power of God that you need, it is available to you right now.
When God raised Jesus from the dead, he seated him at his right hand. The Bible says that Jesus is far above all other power and dominion and authority, not only in this present age, but in the age to come. There is no ruler or authority or power that can compare with the name and authority and power of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Paul continues saying, And God placed all things under his feet, and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fill everything in every way.
Meditate on this thought. It will bring great profit to your spiritual life. Christ is the head of the church. We are his body. We all have a function in his body. In other passages Paul wrote in detail about the importance of each part of the body functioning in a proper way, so that the whole body would profit.
But here is the thought relevant to this discussion, God placed all things under his feet.
Everything is under the feet of Jesus. Jesus is the head of the body, but he is not the whole body. The church is his body. Paul did not say, that God put everything under the head of Jesus. No, Paul said that God put everything under the feet of Jesus. We are his body, so everything is under our feet.
Poverty is under our feet! Sickness and disease are under our feet! Fear and depression are under our feet! The oppressing powers of hell are under our feet! Gossip and slander are under our feet! The mentality of defeat is under our feet! The hatred of the enemies of the gospel is under our feet!
In God we walk in the authority of Jesus Christ. We are not bound by the limitations of the world system. In God his power is available to back up that authority.
Meditate on this truth, and it will set you free to fulfill the purpose of God for your life!!
Wayne L. Williams
wayne@fotwm.org