Merriam-Webster tells us a deputy is:
1: a person appointed as a substitute with power to act
2: a second-in-command or assistant who usually takes charge when his or her superior is absent
What powers does that give the followers of Christ? Let’s see what the scriptures say:
John 1:14 tells us Jesus came to be first-in-command, the highest power, the one who carries all the authority:
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Revelation 1:8 reminds us that Christ’s power comes from an unlimited source:
“ ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’ ”
Galatians 3:19 says we have a rulebook to uphold:
“Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary.”
2 Corinthians 4:4 gives us our case for keeping our spiritual guns locked and loaded:
“In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
Acts 3:22 reveals how we get deputized as Christ’s second-in-command:
“Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you.’ ”
John 20:28 makes sure we don’t forget who the true sheriff is.
“Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ ”
When we come to Christ, we aren’t allowed to sit on the sidelines. No wallflowers permitted. No innocent observers, and no couch potatoes. We can’t spend our time channel-surfing with Jesus. We’re deputies in his name. We stand in for him, and in his place, we have the power to act in the same manner as Jesus would.
We’re empowered with Christ, and it’s time to live like it.
When Christ comes into our lives, he does more than wash us clean. He gives us power, and it flows from the Father, above.
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Code: FGO.E.20.17a.vp.esv