Who Do You Think You Are?نموونە

Know Where you Stand

Ephesians 2:4-8

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 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, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Coming out of our identity and security now established in Christ, we want to take the next step and know, see, understand and believe where we stand according to the Bible. The first step to knowing where we stand is to know where He stands. The word ‘standing’ or where you stand means your position or your status. Knowing your position in Christ is essential to have a strong solid foundation.

Ephesians 1:18-23 shows us that Christ has been raised by God and is seated at the right hand of the Father above all rulers, authority, and powers. His name is above every name, God has placed all things under his feet, and He is head over everything for the Church. Wow, that is one powerful God! He is above all circumstances we can face, above all issues, problems in our lives and in the Church. Nothing is more powerful than Christ! Now, remember this is written to Ephesus where powers and principalities were out in the open, had their own temples that exhibited their might. So, for Paul’s audience, this wasn’t just a knowledge that would be used in their prayer lives, but was a solid truth for everyday use.

Knowing where Jesus is seated compared to our problems, Paul takes this one step further. In Ephesians 2, he explains that not only is Jesus in that place, but God raised us up also and seated us in heavenly realms with Christ (Ephesians 2:6). We need to pray from this position, seeing our circumstances from this position. When we pray knowing that we are seated with Him, we know that all powers, authorities, and issues in life are under His and our feet!

And how does this all happen? Not by our own effort, not by our own works but because of his great love and mercy- by grace, a gift from God, so that no one can boast. It is not what we do that saves us but what He did! It was his actions that gave us this standing, so it is with humility and grace we stand in all Christ won for us.

Prayer Point: I pray that God will give me a fresh revelation of his power and authority to overcome issues, circumstances, and evil in my life. His name is greater, his power more powerful. I pray for a fresh revelation of his love and grace that allows me to sit in heavenly places with Him. I pray for boldness and security in this position, that as I face circumstances and problems, I will stand strong in you, Lord Jesus. I will see myself seated with you in heavenly places and will pray and live my life from that position.