SEATED TOGETHER WITH CHRIST

In life, it matters who you are seated with and who arranged the seat. Whenever we think of seat from the natural standpoint, what comes to mind is chair arranged in a place for someone to sit somewhere. For instance, in great occasions, seats are arranged in a way and in certain places, and many a time, those that fit in notable positions of influence have specially reserved seatings at the high tables. Today let's look at this from God's perspective.

Reference: Ephesians 2:4-6 New International Version (NIV) "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus."

It's great thing to acknowledge that God raised us up with Christ before positioning us in a place of dominion in Christ. That means, only God has the power and ability to do this. In John 14:20 (NLT), Jesus said, "When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you." This is because at the time of speech, Jesus was God with us. He had to die for us first and raised to life again before He could live in us. Just like you can't cast out sin from somebody, except they say a prayer of salvation, Jesus couldn't live in us unless He died for us. Its a spiritual law. Jesus could dwell 'with' us because He arrived as Emmanuel, God 'with' us.

After His death, we were raised up together with Him and we are now living in the era Jesus spoke of in John 14:20. Today, the system of divine intelligence that makes it possible for divinity to dwell in humanity is now in place through the prayer of salvation.

Beloved, if you are born again, Christ is in you, you are in Christ, and Christ is in God. Divinity and humanity have intermingled. Now we are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms. However, to understand our heavenly position in Christ, we must be conscious of His indwelling presence and live it as an experience. That way, our spiritual eyes will grasp who Christ really is and what His position is. Then we can flow with our position in Him.

Powerfully, we are seated with Christ in heavenly places. Christ is the highest place in the spiritual realms and His position is superior to any spiritual position that ever exists. Look at what the Bible says about the position: He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church...(Ephesians 1:20-22 ESV).

Christ is a position, far above every principality and authority and power and dominion, and every name being named. And God has placed us in that position with Jesus. In turn, Jesus is in the Father, seated at His right hand - a point of supreme authority. Therefore, if we're in Christ, then we are actually seated with Jesus in the throne room, where He is. That means we're seated with Christ in the presence of the Almighty. Did you notice that the word used is 'seated'? It didn't say we are standing or walking.

All Scripture is God's breathed because they are inspired by His Spirit. So the choice of words is also Spirit-inspired. There are terms like 'walking with God, or walking in the spirit.' There are also terms like 'standing on the Word or growing in the Word.' Here 'seated' is specific with our position in Christ because it denotes that we are settled and relaxed there. It's a home for relaxation. This is the reason we must live daily with the awareness of this position. When we do so, we can never be anxious about anything or get perturbed about any challenge or concern. Instead of entertaining life's worries, you just see yourself functioning from a position of rest in Christ because indeed, you are seated and relaxed.

Understand this: our position in Christ is not something we earned or attained, it is where God raised us up with Christ to settle, because we have responded to the finished work of Christ. According to Romans 10:9, the moment you declare the Lordship of Jesus and believe in your heart that Christ raised Him from the dead, you are eternally saved and taken into Christ by faith. Instantly, God acknowledges you in His Son and seats you with Him in the highest place in the heavenlies. This isn't merely a theological allegory but a timeless spiritual truth and reality. Of course, being "in Christ" doesn't mean you are no longer living on earth, it means that though you are here in a bodily form, you are a spirit being, living and functioning from the highest point of dominion and authority.

Scripture Reading: Daniel 7:27; Philippians 2:9; Colossians 2:9-10; 1 Peter 2:9; Colossians 3:1-3.

Guided Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for my identity and position in Christ, which was made possible by my accepting your gift of eternal life through faith. Jesus gave His life on earth and rose from the grave to conquer death and sanctify those who believe in Him. Today, as a new creation, I'm raised together with Christ to reign in life by Him from the most superior position of authority. I walk daily in the light of this glory and live in the unquestionable dominion and grace of God, in Jesus' Name, Amen!