AUTHORIZED
In the beginning
was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He [Jesus] was
in the beginning with God. All things
came into being through Him, and without Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being. …
But as many as received Him, He gave to them authority to become the children
of God, to those who believe on His name, [MKJV John 1:1-12
Persons “in
Christ” are God’s authorized family members. But what means this authorization?
Plus what does it matter whether we followers of Christ understand what it
entails, or not? To answer let’s first look at the Greek word interpreted “authority”
(ISV, LITV, MKJV, YLT), “power” (KJV, WT), “right” (ASV, CEV, ESV).
G1849 ἐξουσία; exousia;
ex-oo-see'-ah
From G1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege,
that is, (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom,
or (objectively) mastery (concretely magistrate, superhuman,
potentate, token of control), delegated influence:
- authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.
Rereading the
Greek several times left me again confronted with the choice of feeling
engulfed and overwhelmed by the enfranchised responsibilities or to embrace the
influence of God’s delegated entrustment. (Jesus’ words in Luke 9:23 inform us
that it’s not a singular lifetime decision.) Even before knowing the Greek I
opted to compete with egocentric self in endeavoring to live as His
2Corinthians 5:14-20 authoritative ambassador.
Knowing all this
how now shall we act this day, tomorrow, then …?
EBB4 Tuesday, March
27, 2018
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