Saturday, January 3, 2026

You’re In Charge!

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves on the earth.
- Genesis 1:26-28

My pastor and mentor, Dr. Lester Sumrall, told me he believed the first words Adam heard from God when his eyes opened on the day of his creation were those same words: “You’re in charge.”

Many people scoff at the concept of humanity overseeing everything on the earth. After all, humans have made a mess of just about everything that they have touched. But Adam’s misuse of that authority didn’t mean God made a mistake by giving it to him.

Adam forfeited his authority to the enemy. As a result, although it was unwanted and unexpected, death came into the earth and began to cruelly lord over the sons of men.
Ever since the fall, sin has distorted men’s reason, clouded their vision, and corrupted their ability to make wise choices. But thank God, what was lost through the first man, Adam, has been restored through the new man, the Lord Jesus Christ!

As recorded in Matthew 28:18-20, after His resurrection, the Lord Jesus declared, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Jesus said God gave Him all authority—not only on earth, but also in heaven—and then Jesus delegated that authority to His followers (including you and me) to accomplish His will. He's saying the activity of His followers—their obedience or rejection of His command—has implications on earth AND in heaven! You have God-given authority to do all that God has commanded you to do.

Anything that tries to stand in your way or hinder you from accomplishing God’s purpose must yield to your authority given to you by Christ Jesus, Himself. I encourage you to exercise your authority over the devil and all the forces of darkness so that you can boldly and confidently fulfill all that God has created you to accomplish.

Further Reading

• Matthew 28:18-20
• Daniel 7
• Proverbs 21:31