From Believing to Perceiving
The Bible calls us kings and priests (Rev. 1:6) and world overcomers (1 John 5:4). For many of us, those phrases are still becoming real. We’re still learning who we really are.
If you’ll look in 1 Chronicles, chapter 14, you’ll see that David had a similar problem. He’d been anointed king by the prophet Samuel when he was just a teenager. He’d known for years that someday he’d rule over Israel. Yet somehow, it hadn’t really sunk in.
But look what happens in verse 2: « And David perceived that the Lord had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel. » Finally, it dawned on him! David perceived that the Lord had confirmed him king. I can just imagine David saying to himself, « I’m king. I’m actually king! I AM KING! » At that moment, being king ceased to be something David had only thought about. It became something he really was. He could see himself king.
What does that have to do with you and me? Much like David, you and I have been given a royal office. But it’s not until we believe it that we can exercise the power or authority that goes with that office.
If you’re sick, you can yell, « By His stripes I’m healed, » 50 times a day. You can hope for healing. You can try to believe for healing till your hair turns gray. But if you don’t really perceive yourself as whole and healthy in Christ Jesus, if you don’t see yourself as « the healed » instead of « the sick, » you won’t get any supernatural help. Yet once that realization hits you that you are, in fact, « the healed, » no one–not even the devil himself–will be able to keep you from getting well.
Step over the line from trying to believe to actually knowing by dwelling on the Word of God. Read it and think about it. Practice seeing yourself through the eyes of the Word until the reality of your royalty in Christ rises up in you!
Scripture Study: Ephesians 1:3-23
© 1991 Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc. aka: Kenneth Copeland Publications All rights reserved.
© 1997 Shalom-Verlag. Autorisierte Übersetzung der englischen Ausgabe. Diese Übersetzung wird veröffentlicht und verkauft mit Erlaubnis von Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc./Kenneth Copeland Ministries, dem Inhaber aller Rechte zur Veröffentlichung und zum Verkauf dieses Werkes.