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Many churches use the latter part of Matthew 10:8, “…freely ye have
received, freely give,” to teach financial giving. The logic is that you
have freely received money so you should freely give it. This is not what God
intended this verse to communicate.
The subject of the verse as well as the context of this section of
Scripture refers to utilizing the power of God to bring deliverance to God’s
people.
Matthew 10:7 and 8:
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely
ye have received, freely give.
The greater context of this commandment by Jesus Christ to the twelve
disciples is set in verse one of chapter ten.
Matthew 10:1:
And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave
them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to
heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
The word “power” is the Greek word exousia which means “authority
or delegated power.” Luke 9:1 corresponds with the same event and says: “Then
he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority
over all devils, and to cure diseases.”
Think of it from the perspective of being one of the twelve disciples.
Jesus Christ just gave the authority and power to cast out devils spirits, to
heal not some, but “all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” And
not only that, but to “raise the dead.” What an opportunity to really
bless people and bring deliverance to any and all people, regardless of what
troubles them!
Jesus reminds them that they did not earn this power and authority, but it
was freely given to them. As a result of that they were not to horde their
abilities to bring deliverance, but they were exhorted to freely give.
Did they go out and freely give? Yes, they did!
Mark 6:12 and 13:
And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick,
and healed them.
Luke 9:6:
And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and
healing every where.
Later Jesus “appointed other seventy also, and sent them…” (Luke
10:1). They, too, operated the power of God with dynamic results.
Luke 10:17:
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, “Lord, even the devils
are subject unto us through Thy name.”
Can you imagine being one of those seventy and being part of the excitement
of great healing and deliverance! Jesus later said to them, “Behold, I give
you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of
the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19). [Bold
type added for emphasis] What a thrilling lifestyle of walking with the power
of God in manifestation.
What was this power and authority?
Jesus Christ revealed what that power and authority was while teaching them
of future resources to come.
John 14:16 and 17a:
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter,
that he may abide with you for ever;
Even the Spirit of truth;
It was the spirit of God that provided the power resource. Later in John
14:26 we see exactly that it was, “holy spirit:” “But the Comforter, which
is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name…” Also, in his
resurrected body, just before his ascension Jesus Christ reminded them in his
last recorded words, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost
is come upon you…” (Acts 1:8). He was referring to the day of Pentecost,
when the gift of holy spirit was first made available.
All through the book of Acts we can see the early church operating great
power and authority, healing the sick, casting out devils spirits and raising
the dead.
Now anyone born again of God’s spirit has the authority and ability to do
likewise, healing the sick, casting out devils, and raising the dead.
Jesus Christ commissioned the apostles as declared in Acts 1:8: “to be
witnesses unto me…unto the uttermost part of the earth.” The “witness”
is the power of the holy spirit living in the lives of born again believers.
We, too, are witnesses unto him as we manifest that power. In Acts 26 :18,
Jesus Christ made Paul a minister: “to open their eyes, and to turn them
from darkness to light, and from the power [exousia –
authority] of Satan unto God…” Acts 26:18. We, too, have received that
power and authority.
You and I, through the accomplished works of Jesus Christ, have been given
authority and power as exercised by the twelve and the seventy that we just
read about. God has freely given this to us without our needing to earn it.
Romans 8:32:
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall
he not with him also freely give us all things?
Our opportunity now is to recognize who we are in Christ, having his power
and authority within. We are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto
good works (Ephesians 2:10). We are to hold forth the word of life, that we
may rejoice in the day of Christ. (Philippians 2:16).
We have tremendous power and authority that has been freely given to us. It
cost God much and yet He freely gave it to us, so we can freely bring
deliverance to God’s people.
- Bob Lindfelt
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