I will give you the keys (authority) of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth will have [already]been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth will have [already] been loosed in heaven. Matthew 16:19 (AMP)
I recently got a new car. With a lot of newer cars, the automatic lock system has been upgraded. I was leaving church with my mentee and as we were approaching the car, it made a beeping sound and flashed the lights indicating that the key was in close proximity. Once she got to her door, the front passenger side, she tried to open it thinking that the car was unlocked, but nothing happened. Then I reached out and pulled the handle and the door opened. She was shocked! “How did you do that,” she asked, as she started looking at the handle and around the door for answers. I then had to tell her, “it’s because I have the key.”
You see, my car recognized that the key was close by. But even though this was the case, the car wasn’t going to give just anyone access, only the holder of the key. This is what our relationship with Christ is like.
When we possess the keys to the Kingdom, God gives us access to things that not everyone else has. When Jesus was speaking to Peter in Matthew 16:19, He was communicating to him that He would indeed give him the same authority to represent Him. Everything that Jesus was able to do, He was giving that same authority to Peter.
Jesus makes this same statement again in Matthew 18:18. But, why would He tell Peter the same exact thing just a few chapters earlier? In Matthew 18, Jesus was no longer talking to just Peter, but the rest of the disciples as well. He wanted them to know that the same power and authority He spoke about to Peter in Matthew 16 was available to them as well. And the same holds true for you too.
When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, He gives us access to His power and authority that not everyone has. Just because you are in the proximity of Jesus and have attended church a few times or felt emotional doesn’t mean you have the keys. It’s not until you accept Him into your life that you gain access to those keys.
Today, will you operate in the power and authority that God has given You through salvation?
This power and authority is not available to everyone. If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and you have no clue what would happen to you if you died today, say this simple prayer with me:
God, I confess that I am not perfect. I have sinned and my sins have separated me from You, please forgive me. I know that I need a Savior who is perfect, so I ask You to come into my life, today. The Bible says in Romans 10:9, if I believe in my heart that Jesus is Lord and confess with my mouth that You raised Him from the dead, I will be saved. So I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is Lord and that You raised Him from the dead. Thank You for coming into my life and saving me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!
Carl says
Come on now!!!!
Nena Lega says
I love connecting everyday things with important life lessons. That’s really how we live and learn:) Congrats on your new car, BTW!
Tiffani says
Thanks Nena!