Amazing GraceSample

Seated in Heavenly Places

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:4-6, ESV).

What a contrast! Having been dead in transgressions and being the children of wrath, we now find ourselves in heavenly places with Christ! (Eph 2:6). Because of God’s mercy and love, we have been given new life and new hope. We are delivered from both the penalty and the power of sin. Neither failing nor falling can destroy us.

A spiritual resurrection has taken place. Whatever we feel, this is how God sees us. Sometimes, like Lazarus, we acknowledge that we have been regenerated. But unlike Lazarus, we keep hobbling around in our grave clothes! 

Being raised means the grave clothes are removed and we are free (John 11:44). A new liberation is ours. Darkness and death no longer have any hold on us. We are free from sin and transgression. We are free from depression and fear. We are free to do good works and positive deeds. We can move, we can celebrate, we can rejoice in the Lord! 

But that is not all. We have also been made to sit in the heavenlies. This is not intended geographically. Heavenly places are where God dwells. And we are seated there. In other words, we have entered the realm of faith where we rest in the finished work of Christ. There is nothing we have to do to earn a place with God. Everything is free. We can now enjoy celestial blessings without pressure or strain. 

Because Christ has been raised, so too have we. All things are under his feet and we have been raised together with him. We do not yet see the final benefit. The ultimate reality of our celestial home has yet to come. But meanwhile, we taste the heavenly powers through the presence of the Holy Spirit (Heb 6:4-5) and we rejoice in our great hope.

And it is all by God’s amazing grace. 

What next?

1. What difference does it make to know that we are seated together with Christ in heavenly places? Give examples. (See Rom 5:2-11 for some clues.)

2. On a scale of 1 (minimum) to 5 (maximum) how would you rate your daily experience of being raised and seated in heavenly places with Christ? Is it actually possible to answer with a 5? Why? Or why not? (See Col 3:1-3)

3. Memorise Eph 2:6-7