Seated in heavenly places

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus Ephesians 2: 4 – 6.

I always wondered how we could be living here on the earth but at the same time be seated in the heavenly realms with Christ. It just didn’t make sense. If we look at the preceding verses of chapter 2 it says that we were all dead in our sins, cravings and lusts with no hope of release till God came along and because of his great love, he rescued us.  It was the work of grace; there was nothing we could do to help ourselves or gain any measure of favour with God.

Yet God feels so mercifully towards us that he was prepared to take us sinners, dead in our sins and make us alive in Christ Jesus. We literally have new life, now and forever.  This though is where the puzzling verses come in. Not only have we been made alive and resurrected from death to life but we have been seated with Christ in the heavenly realms. The last few verses of chapter 1 explain that when Jesus was raised from the dead by the awesome power of God, every power, ruler and authority now and in the future was put under his feet.  He has complete authority over every principality and power and he is seated in the heavenly realms exercising that authority.

God has placed our spirits next to Christ in that place of authority. Our bodies may be busy going about our daily lives on earth but our spirits are seated, not anxious, fretting and worrying but at peace and rest knowing they are seated next to the one who has all authority in heaven and on earth. This means we have access to that same authority over every situation in our lives; sickness, poverty, insufficiency, oppression, unemployment, family worries and everything we have need of  is gained because we are sitting next to Jesus.

If you are feeling anxious and worried about life, let the truth that whilst you may be here on earth, your spirit is seated and at rest next to the one who has all authority over everything, now and in the future. His love is for you, his grace has paid the price and lifted you from death to life and now the authority of Jesus over every situation and circumstance is just a whisper away. Lean close to him and hear his loving voice and trust him to bring hope, peace and rest to you right now.