Daily Nuggets of Grace - Part 8: Peacemaker!Sample

Jesus Wants Us to Use His Authority

Jesus has all authority, and He delegates it to us.

He wants us to use it!

The authority that we have is a direct result of being “in Christ.” So, what does it mean to be "in Christ?"

When we make a faith commitment to Jesus, we become united to Christ and go on a real but spiritual journey, attaching our sinful nature to Christ in his death and burial. Now, alive with a new nature, we immediately are raised and ascend with Christ to the Father's right hand. It is an actual spiritual event that changes all aspects of our lives.

Matthew 28:18 tells us that Christ has complete and ultimate authority in heaven and earth. And verse 20 adds that Jesus is always with us. This means we have Jesus' authority present with us at all times. This authority is ours to access because we are "in Christ."

But this doesn't give us the freedom to do as we please. Why not? Jesus' authority is given for a purpose - to enable us to do what He desires, and He desires that we love one another.

How do we move into love for God and others? John 15 reveals the path.

First, we dwell in Jesus, and He dwells in us (verse 4). We learn to live in God's presence actively. We go through the moments of our day aware that Jesus is with us.

Second, we need to know God and our role. It‘s more straightforward than it sounds. John 15:7 calls us to abide in Jesus’ words. This means meditating, or chewing, on God’s words. As we do this, we increasingly see how God wants us to respond to our circumstances, and we continually talk about it with Him.

Finally, Jesus calls us to abide in his love (verse 9). The love relationship God desires for us is what we were designed to be and do. He wants us to soak it in.

As we are saturated with God’s love for us, we begin to freely show God’s love to one another. The result is beautiful unity that radiates outward and can be explained only as God's work in us. The beauty of this love draws others into community with us, “in Christ.”

So, Reflect and Respond:

Love for others will grow as we grow in God’s love. What can you do today to remind yourself of God’s incredible love for you?

Let’s Pray:

Thank you, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, that we can dwell in your love. Help me to be aware of your loving involvement throughout my day.

Now, let’s dive into the scriptures of this theme…