Jurisdiction

JURISDICTION

My mother tells me the first words out of my two-year-old mouth were, "NO TRESPASSING"! Aside from a clear and early indication of precociousness, those two words always intrigued me.

Another thing has fascinated me; in many primitive tribal societies, there are no words for certain social conventions we "superior socialites" think universal. Such notions as "loneliness"; "privacy"; "freedom"; and even the fundamental idea of "private ownership" are total mysteries to these simple people. And, as any foreign missionary can attest, these (and other) "modern" social-inventions tend more to corrupt than to enhance behavior among tribal peoples.

But then where did a two year old get a notion of "no trespassing", (I'm told this was said while barring the door in mock defiance).

Paul says something in 2 Cor. that may shed some light on all this: "God has put His seal upon us and given us His Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee."-2 Cor 1:22 R.S.V. That word "seal" is a very interesting word. It's Greek #4972 "sphragizo" = stamp, signet, mark, to keep secret, to attest to, seal up, make secure; and it's root is Greek #4973 = a signet, as fencing in or protecting from misappropriation (or, "no trespassing! ), a mark of privacy or genuineness (or, to validate personal ownership as to jurisdiction).

Webster defines "jurisdiction" as; "1- right or authority to interpret and apply the law, and, 2- limits within which authority may be exercised". Actually, it is made up of two words that say it all: "juris" (law), and "diction" (speaks) - i.e., where the law speaks (or has a "say-so", or authority).

Now the law is one thing, but the Spirit is quite another! Jesus paid in blood for each and every soul that belongs to Him! I'd say that gives Him title deed to us!

But Paul here states (in the Greek) that God has placed His "signet-mark-seal" or Name upon us by placing His very own Spirit within us! It's as if He's saying, "NO TRESPASSING!" about HIS private ownership of us!

But notice there's something else; a guarantee! God's Guarantee! Well, I guess that gives "new meaning" to the phrase "His Word's as good as His bond"! So Paul later assures us, "Being confident of this very thing, that He that hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"-Phil 1:6 K.J.

No, when GOD says "hands off!", we can be sure, VERY sure, that He has absolute jurisdiction over what belongs to Him! We have His Word, His Promise, His Performance, Proof, Name, Seal, Guarantee, Blood, Life, Soul, His very Person, HIS HOLY SPIRIT on it! But can we trust God? Can He be relied upon? It takes a miracle to say "Y E S"!

We usually associate the words "No Trespassing" with "Private Property". Imbedded in the very "heart" of that Greek word for "seal" is this very meaning! God has affixed His Personal Stamp on us which states clearly, "God's Property - HANDS OFF!"

Gives your faith quite a "shot" to know we're His Personal Property, or "Private Treasure", huh? And THAT'S what I call DIVINE jurisdiction! GOD HAS DOMINION HERE!