Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 2:13-20 (KJV, MSG, AMP, NKJV, NIV) – “13) but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.  14) For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us” (KJV). ”  15) He repealed the law code that had become so clogged with fine print and footnotes that it hindered more than it helped. Then he started over. . . . ” (MSG). “that He from the two might create in Himself one new man [one new quality of humanity out of the two]” (AMP). ” 16) and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.  17) And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.  18) For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father” (NKJV). ” 19) Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household,  20) built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone” (NIV).

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By the grace of God the Father, the Messiah made both non-Jewish outsiders and Jewish insiders members of the household of GOD by creating in Himself one new quality of humanity from the two (Ephesians 2:14-15). That which facilitates a firmer grasp of unconditional love is God’s compassion, patience, and faithfulness to those created in His likeness (Genesis 1:26-27) as well as those reconciled unto Him by the blood of Jesus (Romans 5:10). GOD loves all created in His image; yet those restored to harmony by the finished work of Christ Jesus, are in now in covenant with Him; hence privy to every covenant promise. At one time, we weren’t included but the grace of God the Father sent Jesus the Anointed One so that we too are included. “Now because of Christ — dying that death, shedding that blood — you who were once out of it altogether are in on everything.“ Ephesians 2:13 (MSG).

There are both privileges and responsibilities that come with being kingdom citizens, of which is authority or “delegated power”. 1a  Authority isn’t a special gift to a few of the elect; it is received by all at rebirth (Matthew 28:18; Mark 16:17). When Believers in every aspect of ministry (service) exercise authority in union with the Lord Jesus, all the powers of the air must give way (Eph 6:10-18). Believers are invested with authority by Him to Whom “every knee should bow, of things or beings, in Heaven, in earth, and under the earth.”2  MacMillan (1932) succinctly clarified: the value of this delegated power is dependent upon the force behind the user. “The believer, who is fully conscious of divine Power behind him, and of his own authority thereby, can face the enemy without fear or hesitation” because the enemy and his cohorts “are compelled to recognize”. 1b  Study of the WORD and revelation thereof by the Holy Spirit avails the ability to exercise authority over the enemy’s manipulations in circumstances.

Speak the promise . . . Harriet

1a MacMillan, J.A. (1932, 1971, 1997, 2007). The Authority Of The Believer.
Camp Hill, PA: WingSpread Publishers. 1b (p. 5).
2 Hagin, K.E. (1979; 2007). The Name of Jesus (Legacy Edition). (pp.93-94)
USA: Faith Library Publications.