(Second in a series of teachings on what it is to be an Overcomer)
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus... (Eph. 2:4-6)
There is a theory taught in some church circles, based on the above scripture passage, which implies living a victorious Christian life is all about knowing and exercising your spiritual position in Christ. This theory says that because we, the church, have been raised up with Christ and are now seated together with Him in heavenly places, we have the right to exercise all authority over evil principalities, dominions and powers. The implication behind this theory is that if we are not walking in something called "victory" at all times, then we are lacking faith and do not understand the Word of God. To walk in this victory, all we have to do is rebuke Satan and his demonic forces and all our problems will be over, because we are seated in this undisputed place of spiritual authority.
Well, is this the truth or not? The answer is both yes and no. Remembering that it is the Holy Spirit's job to lead us into ALL truth and not partial truth, let's look a little closer and test this theory against scripture. How does the 'ruling and reigning in heavenly places' theory fit into the context of what Paul was writing to the Ephesian church? To find out we need to look at this passage in relation to the fuller message Paul was sending to the Ephesians, so we will begin in chapter one.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places IN CHRIST (Eph. 1:3)
Having first greeted them, Paul immediately begins sharing the message weighing on his heart. He states that every spiritual blessing that resides in Christ in the heavenly places is ours even here on earth. Paul then goes on to elaborate on these spiritual blessings we have in Christ, teaching that in Him (Christ) we have:
~Been redeemed (i.e. given hope) (v. 7)
~Have an inheritance ( i.e. promised glory) (v. 11)
~Have been given the Holy Spirit as a guarantee (i.e. been sealed by His power) (v. 13)
From verses 15 through 21 Paul continues that he is praying the church will be granted deeper revelation of the hope, inheritance and power which God has made available to them in Christ by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavens, above all powers and principalities. This then, is the context in which we come to the discussion of the church being seated in heavenly places in Ephesians 2:4-7.
Paul then goes on to teach them (and us) about the church's legal position in relation to sin. Having, by God's grace, been raised from the dead IN Christ, the church is now seated together corporately IN Him in the heavens, above all evil principalities and powers. The church is not sitting together WITH Christ, the church is IN Christ. To "sit" implies a completion of work. It implies having come to a place of rest - the same rest Christ came into when His work of redemption was finished. For what purpose has God, through His risen Son, raised the church to heavenly places? Let us read on:
..."that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" Ephesians 2:7.
What?? We, the church, have been raised up and seated in the Heavens, so that God can demonstrate His grace!
In the first session in this series we saw that the main purpose and calling of the church on earth is to bear witness of Christ�s resurrection, so that God's wisdom will be demonstrated to powers and principalities (Eph. 3:9-10). We learn here that God�s purpose for raising the church in Christ, to be seated in the heavenlies, is to demonstrate to the principalities and powers His grace! The church is His witness in the heavens just as she is called to be His witness on the earth. Furthermore, the only authority mentioned in this passage is Christ's authority, because God has placed all things under His feet. Being seated in heavenly places is not the same as being seated on Christ's Throne of authority (more about this in Session Three).
Can you see the difference when we re-align our focus? In trying to make this verse fit our own ideas of spiritual warfare we have missed the point. It is not about us and our authority - never has been. It is about our Father God and His grace. Grace is not only about salvation. Grace is about being kept and sustained by the power of God, whatever the circumstances we are experiencing. Grace is being endowed with the power to overcome. And overcoming is about spiritual warfare.
I will tell you what I see for the future of the church. I see troubled times, I see persecution and injustice rising against the people of God, I see hardship and I see large scale martyrdom. Many of you see these things ahead of us to varying degrees. But I want to tell you something else I see. I see grace to overcome being poured out on the Bride of Christ in measures not ever known before. You may ask "What will happen to me and my family? Will our lives change, will we be persecuted, will we be imprisoned, will we be driven from one place to another?" I will say to you I do not know what will happen to you personally. I only know this: There will be grace, and there will be greater grace. As the need is, so will be the grace poured out. Why? Because the purpose of your suffering will be for the glory of God and for the demonstration of His grace. You will be evidence to the principalities and powers that where sin abounds, grace abounds so much more. And therein, my friends, lies true victory.
"And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all" Acts 4:33.
Cheryl McGrath
Great South Land Ministries
Part 1 - In the Presence Of My Enemies
Part 3 - Overcoming The World
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