It has always amazed me what Christians will do to make up for their lack of faith, such as touting that we have the authority of Christ, or that we need only claim the promises, both of which are unscriptural. I heard a new one the other day. Now someone is pushing that Jesus has given us His power of attorney.
Saying that we have the authority of Christ is the result of overzealous people misinterpreting the Scriptures. The Bible says no such thing. Claiming promises and having power of attorney are simply unbiblical replacements for faith. Let me explain this: James said that when asking God for something we must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, James 1: 6-8.
To ask without doubting requires a stable mind so that when the devil starts throwing up reasons to doubt, we can just ignore him and continue believing. Faith doesn’t allow us to entertain doubt. To get to that point we must learn discipline. Discipline is learned through suffering, and few people endure the sufferings in the trial of faith long enough to learn discipline.
So here come the preachers with ways around this dilemma. To bypass the battle of faith, use the legal approach — just claim what you want. God promised you, therefore you have a right to it and you want it — so claim it. To claim something is to establish that you have a legal right to what you have asked for. And if that doesn’t work there’s a new trick to try — tell God that Jesus gave you power of attorney — another legal right trick. Neither one of these require faith. If you have a legal right to something, you don’t need faith to get it. You just need to prove your right to it.
Why do these people think that we who were set free from the law through faith, should now use the law to prove that we are entitled to the promises of God? There is no substitute for faith! Claiming promises and professing to have power of attorney for Jesus are both legal arguments, faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. Big difference!!!
The Word says, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him,” Hebrews 11:6. So regardless of what legal trick you use, you will walk away empty, FOR WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD.
Consider this: a child does not go to his father and lay claim to his right to be fed. He simply believes he will be fed because he believes in his father. And do you suppose our heavenly Father will be less reliable than our earthly father? Our heavenly Father is holy and cannot lie. And, “For as many as may be the promises of God, in Him (Jesus) they are yes; wherefore also by Him (Jesus) is our Amen to the glory of God through us,” 2 Corinthians 1:20.
If the promises of God are yes in Jesus, what more do we need? Jesus is a perfect Savior. Everything pertaining to us and our dealings with God are covered in His life and sacrifice, and every door opens with faith.
When people say we have the authority of Christ and we must claim God’s promises and we have the power of attorney for Jesus, they are belittling what Jesus did for us and are not only lifting themselves up to a place equal with Jesus, but are also enticing others to do the same. These people are no more than greedy carnival barkers peddling wares that appease the flesh in an effort to attract large crowds.
It is time to walk away from false teachers and false doctrines, regardless of who and what they are. “The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Romans 13:12.
Jon David Banks, God’s most unworthy servant
jondavidbanks.com 