GOD RAISED US UP WITH CHRIST

FRIDAY 9 JULY 2021

God raised the new creation up with Christ and in Christ. The Bible says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature... 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV). This implies that the new creature has been produced in Christ. As a result, he was made to happen or exist only in Christ. However God also established this new creature in a superior position in the spirit realm. Simply put, we are in Christ - the spirit realm above all other spiritual forces, at the right of the throne of God, in the place of authority and honour.

Reference: Ephesians 2:6 Common English Bible (CEB) "And God raised us up and seated us in the heavens with Christ Jesus."

Beloved, God Himself lifted us up along with Christ, from the grave of sin and death into a glorious domain where we sit with Him in the heavenly realms - all because of what Christ Jesus did for us on the cross. The heavenly realm is a spiritual realm and it is a far greater reality than the earthly realm which we are bodily living in. Although we are physically here on earth, what we are called to experience on earth is the heavenly realm where God has placed us with Christ and in Christ. That means, for the born again Christian, the spiritual realm is more real than the earth realm.

We were raised up as new creation, born anew in Christ so that we can walk "in newness of life." We are not recreated to walk according to the course of this world or conform to it, but to walk according to the life of Christ and conform to our Kingdom realities. We have been positioned in Christ and exalted together with Him into heavenly places - in Him. The heavenly realm is where we were born into spiritually. That means, our lives as Christians in this present world is going on in the heavenly realms, and its our reality at this very moment on earth. And God knows that without being seated or positioned spiritually in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, we can't function or base our experiences in the heavenly realm.

No wonder Paul tells us to live as those made alive in Christ and seated in the heavenly realms in Him. He mentioned this in Colossians 3:1-3 (NIV): "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." Beloved, having died with Christ, it was possible to seat us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. And as God placed Jesus at His right hand in heaven, so He has placed us with Him in heavenly places.

Having accomplished this position for us spiritually, we can now possibly set our hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Therefore, you must not live your life based on earthly influences, the flesh and the desires of the world because you've been born into the privileges of heaven, where our fellowship, association and oneness with the Godhead are enabled and hosted, and where the life of spirit is experienced. This truth is very powerful because it empowers the born again Christian to live successfully above all evil spiritual forces and influences in this present world. It also emboldens us with the mindset of the Just, which implies that by being conscious of our spiritual position in Christ and functioning accordingly, its impossible to live a life of defeat in this world.

Since we died with Christ and were raised up by God together with Christ, it means that Christ Himself would have to be defeated before we can live a defeated life here on earth. And this is quite impossible, "for you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God" (see Colossians 3:3 NIV). Beloved, your present position in Christ is a position of indomitable faith and permanent victory. However you must abide in Christ and have this information as an inbuilt knowledge, such that even if you're woken up at the middle of the night, it will spill out as your first response. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Romans 6:4; 1 Peter 3:18; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 2:12.

Exuberant Declaration: I was born to win because I've been crucified and raised with Christ to walk in newness of life, far above all principality and power, might and dominion, sickness and disease, and all negative influences. I'm grounded and settled in Christ in the heavenly realms. My faith in Christ Jesus is strengthened daily by the Word to always prevail against the adversary and triumph over adversities. Blessed be God!