HOW TO FUNCTION IN SYNC WITH YOUR POSITION IN CHRIST

Today's message is the continuation of yesterday's topic, 'seated together with Christ'. We are going to look at how to walk in the reality of our heavenly position in Christ, here on earth. According to our referenced Scripture below, we have the responsibility to ensure that we function in alignment with the position God has placed us in Christ and live accordingly.

Reference: Colossians 3:1-2 New International Version (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.

Beloved, therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. The key phrases are 'where Christ is' and 'seated at the right hand of God.' 'Where Christ is' is a place. 'Seated at the right hand of God' is His position of authority. For us, this is saying, because you have been raised up with Christ, your responsibility is to keep seeking the things above - in line with your position in Christ. Our goal is to live with an eternal perspective rather than focusing on the perspective and lifestyle of this world. This is where the Holy Spirit comes in. To set your mind on or to seek the things above, we must be willing to subscribe to moment-by-moment leading of the Holy Spirit.

We must learn to set our minds on Christ because that is where we live. Christ is not on earth or in the grave. He is above in the heavenly realms, seated at God's right hand. Now what are the things above? They are godly, spiritual realities. The Bible says, 'Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God' (Hebrews 12:2 KJV). That's focusing on Christ. He is telling you here that He endured the cross and despised the shame, before He was set at the position of right hand of the throne of God. And He did all that endurance for us. Therefore we must live according to the ordinances and requirements of this position here on earth.

While things that are above are spiritual realities, the things of the earth are associated with ungodly activities. If you are not living according to your position in Christ here on earth, then it means that the things of the earth have taken over your life. James 3:17 notes the benefits of living according to your position in Christ. It causes you to embrace the wisdom from above such that it finds mega expression through you. The verse reads, 'But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.' That's functioning with the mind of Christ. On the other hand, ungodly activities are the functions of earthly wisdom, and according to James 3:15 (NIV), such wisdom is not from heaven above; it is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.

Now understand this: setting our minds on things that are above does not mean that Christians should ignore all earthly concerns. It does, however, mean that we ought to give our time and attention to the things that please God, rather than ungodly activities or worldly behavioural expressions such as bitterness, envy and selfishness, gossips, quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, arrogance, disorder, idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, rage, rivalries, divisions, factions, and every evil practice.

Philippians 4:8 (KJV) says, 'Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.' When you begin to think and set your heart on things above, it will in turn, influence the way you think, talk and act and the results will show differently in your life, because your wisdom is divine.

No wonder Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:6, NLT: "Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten." Paul was consumed by wisdom from above that ordinary minds found it difficult to understand him. By ordinary minds, I mean those who function only with human wisdom, which involves the observation and analysis of life from a limited human perspective. Such minds can be limited and fallible, because human wisdom rejects anything which can't be comprehended or worked out by human intelligence. Human wisdom cannot please God because it is limited to what can be observed and worked out with human reasoning and so it rejects spiritual truth as foolishness.

Scripture Reading - Jeremiah 33:3; Proverbs 28:26; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:22-32; Colossians 3:2-5.

Guided Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, I thank you for granting me all dominion and authority in heaven and on earth as a result of my position in Christ. Thank you for helping me by your Spirit to set my heart on things above. Today and always, I walk in your wisdom by fulfilling your perfect will daily and by manifesting your virtues and perfections as a heavenly man on earth, in Jesus' Name, Amen!