Ephesians 1: 17-23, Eph 2: 1-10

Clive Urquhart

Recently, I was given a brilliant book, 'The Complete Personalized Promise Bible'. It has every promise in the Bible followed by a declaration of faith to help speak and apply the truth of each promise to your life.

In one of the declarations of faith from Ephesians 1, a phrase was used that really struck me - '.every power and dominion must obey me as I apply the power of attorney that Jesus has given me to use His name'.

An attorney is a person who is given authority to speak and act on someone's behalf in legal affairs or business. The client puts his trust in the attorney to represent what they want to say and how they want something done so they get the decision or result they want.

In Ephesians 1: 17-23, the Apostle Paul writes that he prays for the people to have the spirit of wisdom and understanding to know Jesus more, that the eyes of their hearts are enlightened so they would know the hope they have in their call, the inheritance they have as believers and the realisation of the power that is working in them - the Holy Spirit.

He tells them that this power in them is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him in the Heavens above every power, authority, dominion and rule, putting everything under His feet and appointing Him head over everything for the church (you and me).

In Eph 2: 1-10, it says we have been raised with Christ and are seated with Him and that we are God's workmanship, created in Christ to do good works.

This is amazing! Like the client gives authority to the attorney and trusts him to represent him, God has given us authority and trusts us to be His representatives on earth to show people who He is. What a partnership!

Wherever we go we are not alone. The Holy Spirit is at work in us - empowering our lives to love, to serve, to heal, to give the gospel to others, to be forgiving, gracious and patient, to go beyond what is required or expected.

When God speaks and acts things happen. Therefore, as His representatives, when we speak and act in His name things happen.

So, whatever you are doing today, He wants to work through you as you apply the power of attorney to speak and act on His behalf as if He were there Himself doing it.