Who Is In Control?

 Happy Sunday!

"The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's: but the earth hath he GIVEN to the children of men."(Psalm 115:16 KJV).

People often say, "God is in control".  A great man of God used to say, "Well, He's sure got things in a mess!"  Murders, rapes, shootings, theft, illegal activities, drug overdoses, child abuse, sickness, and death are commonplace.  Do you really think this is what God wants?  NO, no, no, and no!  God gave MAN, humankind control on earth.  Remember Adam?  God gave him jurisdiction and dominion on earth. 

Genesis 1:28 says, "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and SUBDUE it: and have DOMINION over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over EVERY living thing that moveth upon the earth."(KJV).  Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines "subdue" as "To conquer by force or the exertion of SUPERIOR power, and bring into permanent subjection; to reduce under dominion".  "Dominion" is defined as " Sovereign or supreme authority; the power of governing and controlling.  Power to direct, control, use and dispose of at pleasure; right of possession and use without being accountable; as the private dominion of individuals."(Webster's 1828 Dictionary).

Don't miss this!  "Power to direct, control, use and dispose of at pleasure; right of possession and use".  Our enemy, the Devil tricked Adam and Eve into thinking they were missing something.  He told them that God was holding out on them.  He told Eve, “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be LIKE God, knowing both good and evil.”(Genesis 3:5 NLT).  BUT in reality they were already like God!  Genesis 1:27 says, "So God created man in his OWN IMAGE, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."(KJV).

Adam lost his place, BUT Jesus bought it back for us with His precious blood!  Romans 5:17 says, "For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)"(KJV).  So what does that mean for us?  Great question!  So glad you asked!  We must take dominion in our sphere of influence!  Like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and the Apostles, we must stand up for righteousness and holiness daily!   We must be excellent in all we do!  People should come asking, "What must I do to be saved?"(Acts 16:30 KJV).

Love and prayers, Cynthia