Have you forgiven yourself for past mistakes?  If not, be aware today that as far as God is concerned, the moment you received Christ, your past ceased to exist.
It’s obvious that this world is out of order. One must ask, "How could the world have become so disrupted by death, hatred and fear?" After all, in the beginning God declared everything to be "very good" (Gen. 1:31).  Something happened, and we need look no farther than the Word of God to get straight answers.

Romans 5:12 declares that "…by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin…" Having received God given authority over the earth, Adam committed high treason and sold out to the Devil. Although a liar, Satan nonetheless will affirm a truth if it serves to advance his malicious mission.  In tempting Jesus to forego his redemptive purpose, Satan declared, "All this power will I give you, and the glory of them: for it is delivered to me; and to whosoever I will give it (Luke (4:6). Like Darth Vader, Satan would wield as a sword of death and destruction the power and authority granted to him by Adam.

Later, Jesus would correctly identify the source of pain and suffering that grips humankind when he proclaimed, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). The good news is that Jesus comes to give life!  Jesus is our Victor!

It is vital for the world to see that Jesus conquered Satan!  This is the triumphant message of the New Testament!  But before the world can clearly see this truth, the Church must see it!   This is why in Ephesians Chapter 1, the Apostle Paul prays for the believer to have eyes to see that Satan was utterly crushed by Jesus and that everything is under Jesus’ feet.

Here are three vital facts that should underpin every Christian.

Fact #1: In Christ You Have Redemption From Satan’s Dominion!

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
(Eph. 1:7)

This is an eternal redemption that is operative now. Redeem literally means to buy back and that is exactly what Jesus accomplished on the cross by shedding his blood. He paid the price necessary to release you from Satan’s dominion.  In Christ you are set free!

The word "forgiveness" literally means "remission" which means to wipe out everything you ever did up to the time you came to Christ. Your slate is clean in Christ!

Many Christians struggle with a sense of unworthiness as they contemplate their past. Certainly we should feel remorse that in our blindness we ran from the gracious Heavenly Father Who loved us and sent His Son to die in our stead. But our life should be lived in the keen awareness that grace released us from our past.

The Apostle Paul understood what this meant. By his own testimony, he was a murderer who had put Christians to death. Certainly he had a checkered past. Yet after coming to Christ he could say, "Receive us; we have wronged no man…(2 Cor. 7:2). 

Have you forgiven yourself for past mistakes?  If not, be aware today that as far as God is concerned, the moment you received Christ, your past ceased to exist and Satan’s grip over your life was released!

Fact #2    In Christ You Became a New Creation!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
(2 Cor. 5:17)

This is not a vague theological concept but a living vital reality. Note that when you are "in Christ" you become a branch of the Vine. Jesus said, "I am the vine and you are the branches". If Jesus is clean and spiritually vital through his resurrection, so too are you!

This is a supernatural work of God done when you confessed Jesus as Lord!  Romans 11:24 says that you were supernaturally "grafted" into a good olive tree—Jesus!

Jesus is called the firstfruit from the dead. That means there is other fruit to follow—you!   Romans 11:16 says, "For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches."  Remember, Jesus said, I am the vine and you are the branches!

In Christ you possess the very life and nature of Almighty God. You are a class act!  Up to this point, you may not have developed or grown in grace and knowledge of the Word. Perhaps you have yet to take advantage of your privileges as God’s son or daughter. But the fact remains, in Christ, you are the apple of Father God’s eye!

Speaking of your unity with Christ, Hebrews 2:11 says, "For both he who is sanctifying and those sanctified are all of one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren".  Did you get that?  Jesus is not ashamed to call you brother or sister because you are one with him! 

Fact #3    In Christ’s Name You Have Authority!

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 
(Matt. 16:18)

When God planned your redemption, He knew it was necessary to defeat Satan and to empower His church to carry on Christ’s work of setting the captives free.

We see Peter and John using that authority when they approached the man at the Beautiful gate. They said unto him, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk" (Acts 3:6b). It was faith in the name of Jesus that brought healing to the lame man.

The name of Jesus is elevated above every name and every enemy! 

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.
(Phil. 2:10)

That name belongs to you. Satan and all of hell tremble when a believer utters the name of Jesus. You have a right to use the name of Jesus against oppression, fear, sickness and disease. Time and again Jesus reminded his disciples to "fear not" because he would not leave them powerless.

It is amazing to comprehend that Jesus gave you the power of attorney to use His name. In Mark 16:17 we read in the Great Commission; "And these signs shall accompany them that believe; In my name…"

Next we read, "And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following" (Mark 16:20).

There is authority in the name of Jesus!

Friend, keep the above key principles in the forefront of your mind. They will serve you well and God will work with you as your believe and act upon them!