Matthew 16:13-20 – “When Jesus came to the area of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” ¹⁴ They answered, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” ¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ And Jesus answered him, “You are blessed, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven! ¹⁸ And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.  Whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.” ²⁰ Then he instructed his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered today, something refreshed my spirit as I read Matthew 16 and beyond.  Jesus asked, “Who am I to the crowds?”  Then He asked, ” Who am I to you?”   That’s the key!

Peter’s response should be our response.   Out of that revelation, Jesus informed Peter and us that Who He Is provides the basis of our spiritual authority.  

THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM

Keys unlock and lock doors.  An unused key is a worthless piece of metal.   A used key is a mighty tool used rightly.  Through the revelation and embracing of Who Jesus Is, we can access the Kingdom provisions.

We can bind because we have the key and can unlock the door.  We can reach into the kingdom, see what is bound, and bring it into our present.   Likewise, we can see what is loosed and bring that reality into our present.  There is more to operating in that authority than just believing He is the Christ.  There is dying to self and becoming childlike in faith and trust.

It involves purity of heart and complete forgiveness of Everyone and Everything!    It involves relationships with God and others in the body.

Matthew 18:18-22 is worthy of in-depth study but suffice it to say that unity with pure hearts, right motives, and total forgiveness opens the door to the miraculous.

Binding and loosing are connected to belief but also to complete forgiveness.  Agreement, in that context, allows us to exercise our spiritual authority and bring the kingdom and ALL its provisions into the present.   Nothing is impossible for that person or group of people. 

No self-centeredness can remain.

In Matthew 19, we have the story of the rich young man who reveals a dimension of this truth.  He wanted to “do” something to earn acceptance, but Jesus said “Be” something.  Jesus told him that he must Release that which you treasure and consider yours to me.  That can be possessions, or it could be a harboring of a hurt or anything else.  Release that which holds your heart and surrender totally to Jesus.  The keys will become functional, and the world of the supernatural will open to you.

You do not have to be the devil’s whipping boy.  You Have Authority.  Use it.

Have a wonderful day of rejoicing in Jesus!  You are Victorious!