SUNDAY, JULY 8
Scripture: Acts 2:32-36

Acts 2:32-36 says, “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”’ Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” This passage makes it clear that God intends us to rule in the midst of evil when it comes our way. How do we rule in the midst of evil? We need a ‘badge’ issued by the ultimate authority Figure. Matthew 28:18 records Jesus issuing a badge. The first thing we have to have is authority to know that we can do it. Mark 11:11-14 and 20-24 record Jesus using this authority as our example. Peter’s definition for what happened on the day, they were filled with the Holy Spirit, is our commissioning, “This is the fulfillment of Psalm 110:1.” (Are the quote marks needed) The anointing is here to make our enemies our footstool. This takes ruling in the midst of evil to a whole new level based on relationship with the Holy Spirit. Some of it we will be led to forgive. Some of it we will be led to judge. The problem is that we stand on tradition that says we only forgive, and do not judge. Our spiritual foundation has to change. Our tradition has locked us out of the judicial side of God. Our tradition has made us passive in the face of evil. The early church was not passive in the face of evil. They knew how to forgive it but they also knew how to judge. They were led by the Holy Spirit. But it helps if we have Word sealed and energized by the Holy Spirit. If we know assuredly that God has made this Jesus both Lord/koo-ree-os/Judge of all the Earth and Priest/kris-tos/Anointed Priest and Savior, then we can act accordingly. Do we know the Judge? Can we demonstrate Him when we are dealing with a ‘Herod’? Can we pray the prayers that loose an angel to make a terminal visit? We have no excuse. God has empowered us to walk in that place. The question is, will we prepare and go there?