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In the parable of the ten pounds given to the ten servants, with the command, ‘Occupy till I come,’ Jesus makes it clear that if we use what He gives,He will give us more. However, if we fail to use what He has given, He will take away from us what He has already given. Luke 19:11-27. We must make use of the authority delegated to us and the ability to exercise more.
Before these words were addressed to the church, they were addressed to Israel. And the church, like Israel, has been chosen of God to be a light of salvation to the unsaved.
“ But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation,” — 1 Peter 2:9-12.
The mission of the church is to show forth, proclaim or announce to the world the praises of Christ who has called believers out of the dankness of sin into light of His love and life. This is the good news the unsaved need to know–that they too can pass from the darkness of sin into the light of Christ’s love and life.
The Bible makes it clear that we have
authority over principalities and powers but that victory comes by way of spiritual warfare. We have been fully equipped for this warfare with the ‘armour of God.’ Ephesians 6-.10-20.
“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil,” — John 3-.8. “Having spoiled
principalities and powers, Jesus made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in the cross,” — Colossians 2:15.
Then we understand that Jesus has the right to give to us authority over principalities and powers. Satan will not allow anyone to destroy his work without a very strong counteraction.The Devil’s control must first be neutralized before Christians can release his captives. Jesus asks, “How can anyone enter a strongman’s house and carry off his possession unless he first ties up the strongman?” Matthew 12:29 reads, “bind the strongman.” The first basic principle of spiritual warfare is binding the strong man before any warfare opposing powers and principalities and wicked rulers and evil spirits can be won to release the nation, cities, individual, family, the strongman must be defeated. Matthew 18:18-20. Once Satan’s power is bound, Jesus enters freely enters into his house and carries off Satan’s possessions. The territory is delivered and Satan loses
control.