Don’t Worry, Everything’s Under Control.

Dr. Jay Worth Allen

“. . . the exceeding greatness of His power towards us who believe,
according to the working of His mighty power,
which He wrought (skillfully worked) in Christ
when He raised Him from the dead . . .
and has put all things under His feet.”
(Ephesians 1:19-22).

Many Christians are greatly the losers, whose thoughts about Christ are confined to His manger at Bethlehem or His cross of Calvary. While none of us can be sufficiently thankful for Christ’s death for our salvation, and for the everlasting bliss which hinges thereon, we must bear in mind that His death at Golgotha, His resurrection from His sepulcher, His being carried up into Heaven, was not the termination of His history. He is now seated at the right hand of God, where He intercedes for His people. But that’s not all, for . . .

All things have been put “under His feet.” And this “all” includes, not only all His friends by way of voluntary submission, but all His foes by forced subjugation, and all events by way of His immediate operation. It is not simply “all creatures” but “all things.” Providence itself is now directed by the hand of Lord of glory: All history is shaped by His imperial hand! Every moment, every occurrence, both in heaven and in earth is ordered by the King of all Kings and Lord of all Lords. Christ Jesus is clothed with all authority and invested with universal dominion, and, as a surprise to some, He is now actually engaged in exercising the same. This fact ought to affect the hearts and lives of every Christian. But do most of us conduct ourselves in total submission and subjection to Him? As we see the blasphemous, immoral, corrupt, events around us, and the many enemies who oppose us, do we remember the force of His “Fear not little flock”? When we catch sight of the troubled waters of this world, are we conscious of the fact that our mighty Captain is at the helm of the ship.

All things have been put “under His feet.” This expression refers to (as well as many other “things”) Christ’s triumph over His enemies. If you will remember after Joshua had gained such a remarkable victory over the five kings and the combined armies of the Canaanites, he said, “Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave.” And they did so. And he said to his captains, “Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings.” And they did so. And Joshua said to them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies” (Joshua 10:22-25; cf. Isaiah 51:22-23). Psalm 110:1 touches on similar discourses: “until I make Your enemies Your footstool,” i.e., crush and destroy. The Church is, as are “all things,” under Christ’s feet by way of subjection, but she is not His footstool by way of subjugation and degradation - that is the position of His and her enemies.

We need to consider and apprehend God’s objective in subjecting “all things” to the Redeemer - not only as illustrating the principles of His moral government: for “he (anyone) who humbles himself shall be exalted”; “Them (anyone) that honors Me I will honor” and the good which results to us from them - but also the bearing, which it should have upon our character and conduct. The salvation of the Church was the direct design of the whole of Christ’s mediation work. For His Church, He voluntarily suffered humiliation and death; for the promotion of her interest, God exalted Christ and now He employs for her the selfsame benefits, which have been bestowed upon Him. Although He has been raised so high, He has neither lost His love for His sheep, nor relinquished His purpose concerning His people. By Him kings reign, and princes decree justice (Proverbs 8:15), yet He is exercising His dominion in subservience to His purpose of grace, disposing all affairs of the universe for the good of His Church. “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28); “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than goal that perishes, though it be tried by fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7).

A lot of the time, we don’t realize or remember that Christ is over men and angels, demons and Satan himself. This world is under the control, under the feet, in the hands of the One whose hands were nailed to the cross. He rules and overrules in “all things” for the good of His Church - the deliberations of the senate, the conflict of armies, the history of the nations. Though many Neros, Charlemagnes, Napoleons, Hitlers, who for a brief season strut upon the stage of this world’s drama, they are but puppets and serve the highest and ultimate interest of His people. When nations are in conflict and seem totally out of control, “the Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm” (Nahum 1:3). There is nothing for us to be alarmed at. The ark of the covenant is in no danger. No weapon formed against us shall or will prosper (Isaiah 54:17). So don’t worry, everything’s under control. We have His promise!

Don’t Worry, Everything’s Under Control.
Published: 8 July 2010 on Freed In Christ! blogsite.
Published: 15 July 2010 in the Faith Column of The County Journal.

Link goes to A Brief History of Redemption

Order the books!