“Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground” (Gen. 1:6 NLT).
Regaining our lost dominion in the world in which we live demands our free-will surrender to our Creator God. As was mentioned in Part I, five keys aid our understanding concerning this: The force of Grace, The force of Faith, The force of Righteousness, The force of Eternal Life, and Understanding the “New Creation” Realities.
The first two keys have already been discussed. We will now flesh-out… The force of Righteousness, The force of Eternal Life, and Understanding the “New Creation” Realities…
#3: The force of Righteousness:
Righteousness is gifted to all believers in Christ Jesus. It is not attained by how much we do to please God. It is simply credited to us… “Christ was without sin, but for our sake God made him share our sin in order that in union with him we might share the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21 GNT). Therefore, righteousness is having a right standing before God without the sense of guilt and inferiority resulting from disobedience of His commands. It’s also the ability to come boldly before the throne of grace and to obtain mercy in times of need.
Righteousness offers mankind the boldness to exercise confidence in his fight against Satan. We have been given authority over Satan! We can stop Satan’s mission on earth – undoing his works.
After the fall of Adam and Eve – our first parents – they lost their right standing before God, and consequently Satan had power and authority over them and the world in which we live. However, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, for those who profess faith in Christ, their power over Satan has been fully restored to what it was before the fall of Adam.
#4: The force of Eternal Life:
Eternal life means everlasting life – a sinless life with a beginning but without an end. That is, life that starts with a journey in Jesus Christ here on earth and continues into eternity with Him. Eternal life is a free gift bestowed on every believer when they are “born again.” Eternal life is not what we will get tomorrow; believers in Christ have it now. If you are in doubt about this, then go back to God and humbly ask for His gift of salvation.
So, when the evil one or the challenges of life threaten you, all you need to do is to stand on the assurance of your position in Christ Jesus. Greater is the One who is in you, than the one who is in the world. Eternal life is made possible by righteousness which gives you the boldness and audacity to challenge your challengers.
#5: Understanding your New Creation Realities:
The gift of righteousness and eternal life restores mankind back to their initial status before the fall of Adam. Having a good understanding of your new creation status in Christ Jesus gives you an automatic edge above the pressures and challenges of this world, with a view to exercising your dominion rights.
Beloved, it doesn’t matter what Satan throws at you. You will overcome as you live in the knowledge of God’s word. Yes! It doesn’t mean that our enemy the devil will desist from harassing you with a view to stopping your God-given mandate and purpose. But it does imply that we have sufficient power and grace to outwit the devil in all the challenges and battles of life that he brings.
Remember, it is written in the Scriptures: “I have called you ‘gods’ and ‘sons’ of the Most High” (Ps. 82:6)
Shalom!
Pastor Sam Elijah
Dancing on Water 