We’re continuing our walk through Paul’s epistle to the Philippian church. In my last post, I talked about the example of Christ. He humbled Himself for a life of service, even submitting to the cross.
However, that’s not the case right now. Because of His obedience, He was exalted to the highest place in the universe. He has supreme authority. The good news is that the Lord allows us to walk in that authority as we serve Him.
We’ve been given access to that name that’s above all other names.
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:9-11 NIV
As I’ve said, Jesus Christ has the highest level of authority in the universe. But, He doesn’t just sit on His throne and watch the world go by. He’s an active participant.
In order to see His will accomplished, Jesus uses normal people like you and me. Anyone who will submit to His lordship comes under that authority. At that point, it’s passed on to those in submission to Him.
The Lord fully expects us to walk in and use His name in all of our activities. That means I need to strive to live the way He lived. That’s the only way I can adequately represent Christ to the world. It also means that I have a responsibility to seek the Lord’s way of ministry.
Let’s look at sickness for an example. How did Jesus heal the sick? He’s our pattern for how it’s to be accomplished.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Mark 10:51-52 NIV
This is one of the many healings that are recorded in Scripture. One thing that strikes me right away is the boldness that Jesus had. We see the same thing in the ministry of the Apostles after the resurrection. Look at what happened in the Temple courts when Peter met a crippled man.
Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
Acts 3:6-8 NIV
In both cases, Jesus and the Apostles were acting under the authority of God. What we need to understand is that the prayer for healing is a prayer of authority. That means that you don’t have to ask God to do it. It is a command that the healing be manifest.
It’s the same as when demons are cast out of an individual. I’ve had the privilege of delivering people from the bondage of demonic possession and oppression. I didn’t ask God to do it. I took authority over the demons in the name of Jesus Christ.
I commanded them to leave based upon the clear teaching of Scripture that we’ve been given authority over all the power of the enemy. Sickness is the same way. The Word shows us that God hates sickness. It’s a blight on His perfect creation. We have His authority to command it to be healed.
The church needs to once again walk in the authority we’ve been given. Of course, as I’ve said before, this carries a responsibility to live as Christ lived. I think this might be the biggest hindrance to us living it out.
Doing things in the name of Jesus assumes that you’re doing what the Lord wants, the way He wants it done. This requires an intimate walk with the Holy Spirit. That’s where we pick up the attitude of Christ.
Question: How have you used the authority of the name of Jesus recently?
© 2023 Nick Zaccardi
The Spirit and the Word 