STATURE AND AUTHORITY
13th Feb 2019
Having left school, after spending a few years training in accountancy, I joined the family business, scarcely out of my teens. I was of the fourth generation working in a drapery store founded by my great grandfather. My father was my boss and I arrived to take up my new role. Many of the staff had known me since I was a kid, and so my new status was a bit daunting.
I was there to enact the instructions and directives of my father. He needed to tell various members of the staff certain things that he wanted them to do, and I was dispatched to bring these messages to them. I immediately was aware that my words were being received well, and that there seemed to be an authority in what I was saying that surprised me. These folk had know me when I was in short trousers, now they we willingly obeying the commands I was giving them. I then realised it was not my stature or authority, but I was the son of the boss.
This is what we have been given by God as His chosen ones. 1 John 3:1 says, “See, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. And that is what we are.” As a child of God I have His stature and authority.
I remember hearing Colin Urquhart tell of how this revelation came to him as he was preparing, with great trepidation and inadequacy, to be the minister of the church in Luton. Whilst reading a book by Watchman Nee he suddenly realised that he was a son of God, with all the approval, mandate and authority it carried. He told of how he leaped around his study shouting out, “I’m a son of God, I’m a son of God.” That revelation transformed Colin and his ministry.
Jesus told his disciples, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20:21) and also, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been give to to me. There go and make disciples…” (Matthew 28:18-19)
The enemy wants to rob us of power and status, to say we are weak failing creatures. God says that we are sons of God, endued with power and authority, to defeat the enemy and to establish His kingdom here on earth.
Today rise up in your stature and authority and be the person God made you to be.
by Charles Sibthorpe
