EXALT GOD - PART 5

WEDNESDAY 06 SEPTEMBER 2023

Christ is exalted to the highest place, far above all things, and has been given a name that is above all names in heaven and on earth. And the golden news is: God has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the Kingdom of the exalted Son of His love. Christ's exalted state implies firstly, that He is the author of the salvation and redemption of those who believe in Him (Colossians 1:13-14); secondly, His nature as the very image of the invisible God, and as the creator and sustainer of all things in heaven and on earth (see Colossians 1:15-17); thirdly, His Lordship as the head of the body - the church, and His supremacy in all things (Colossians 1:18); fourthly, His mediation, as in, reconciling all to God (2 Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 1:19-20; Hebrews 2:9-10); and fifthly, God's instrument of imparting divine life (1 John 5:10-12). More below!

Reference: Psalm 18:46 New International Version (NIV) "The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior!"

Before Jesus took up His exalted position in heaven, He assured us of these manifestations:

"And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God (Mark 16:17-19).

"In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." Who are they? The saints in the light, who have embraced Christ as their rock. These activities are their godly tasks as they live the life of the Spirit.

More so, they have been empowered to manifest these signs while preaching the good news of the glorious gospel. Indeed, these marvellous tasks express an insight into the thoughts, hopes, aspirations of the saints in the light, denoting our state of "remaining in force and in charge" as members of the body of Christ. As long as we are standing on the rock by faith, these manifestations are regarded as the substance of our Christian life.

Luke 22:69 says, "But from now on the Son of Man will be seated in the place of power at God's right hand" (NIV). Beloved, Christ is now seated in the place of power at God's right hand. Moreover, God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus (see Ephesians 2:6 NIV). If we are seated with Christ in this exalted position, it equally means that His exaltation belongs to us, bearing in mind that we are joint heirs with Christ.

To that effect, Romans 8:17 says, "And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory..." (NLT). Therefore we must come to the understanding that we function from the highest place of power. This is the reason the power to drive out demons, speak in new tongues, heal the sick and more, has been lodged into our hands and inwardness in order to communicate the divine life to all men.

The exalted state of Christ is an exceeding "great" reward of glory and honour from God due to Christ's obedience unto death. He is crowned with glory and honour at the right hand of the Almighty Father because He submissively tasted death for everyone. Got it?

The Bible says, "Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name..." (Philippians 2:6-9). Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Acts 2:36; Ephesians 4:10; Acts 5:31; 1 Peter 3:22.

Exuberant Declaration: God sent His only beloved Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, to die for me and to rescue me from the domain of darkness into the Kingdom of light. I therefore, acknowledge that God raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand, an exalted position of glory and honour, far above all things in heaven and on earth. As the only way, truth, and life, I come boldly through Him to the throne of grace to obtain unlimited supplies of grace and mercy and to manifest my Christian faith in continual victory. Praise be to God!