PAID FOR
Dearly Beloved, I bring you greetings in the name that is above every other name, Jesus Christ the Son of the living God and our soon coming King. Oh what a joy it is for us to witness another Easter, celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank God for Jesus, thank God He chose to come and die in our place and on the third day, He rose again triumphing over death grave and hell. Hallelujah! Our God reigns forever more.
The resurrection of Jesus changed everything. It sealed satan’s defeat forever and put him eternally under our feet. Jesus triumphed! Colossians 2:15 (NKJV) says “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” Jesus triumphed over the devil, over principalities and powers, over the rulers of darkness. He completely disarmed every power that will try to take a stand against us.
Child of God, satan has no power over you, he has no authority, except you give it to him. The work Jesus did on the cross is final and it completely stamped satan’s defeat. Now it is our responsibility to live in that finished work of Christ. We must take full advantage of all that Jesus provided, because that truly brings him honor. I’ve said this many times, and it bears repetition – the highest honor you can give to God as a believer is to maximize the benefits of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
Isaiah 53:4-5 (NLT) tells us
“Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.”
Beloved it is because of you that Jesus went through all the hardship and persecution. For the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross, despising the shame (Hebrews 12:2) because He had you and I in mind. Therefore our own part is to enjoy the benefits, because it is fully paid for. Our text lets us know that He carried our weaknesses and shame, sorrows, pains, sins and by His stripes, we were healed. So why should you allow sickness ravage your body? Why should you allow sorrow keep you bowed over? Why should you allow pain persist? It is time to stand your ground against all forms of darkness.
Declare over yourself the benefits you have in Christ. Enforce your healing, deliverance, provision, protection, breakthrough because that is what Jesus came to give you (John 10:10). As we go into this new week, make up your mind to live in the resurrection power, so that Easter is not just a one time event, but a daily experience.
I declare over your life that the resurrection power will be made manifest in the name of Jesus. Your lives shall indeed be rich and satisfying. I bless you today in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Maranatha!
In His Royal Service,
Dr. Mike Okonkwo
The Presiding Bishop
