Where We Sit

Ephesians 2:4-7

He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6)

JACOB HAD A DREAM OF angels ascending and descending from the spiritual to the material realm and back again (Genesis 28:10-19). Elisha was surrounded by a hostile army but could clearly see that heaven’s armies far outnumbered his enemies (2 Kings 6:8-23). Jesus was transfigured into a glorious environment that revealed a heavenly conversation between him, Moses, and Elijah (Luke 9:28-36). In each case—and in many others shown in the books of Ezekiel, Daniel, Revelation, and more—the invisible world became visible. The spiritual invaded and overshadowed the material. The place of our true citizenship was made manifest to someone with eyes to see it.

What does this other reality have to do with our daily existence? As we’ve seen, if we live by sight rather than by faith, we will see ourselves as earthbound, finite, limited, and in bondage to circumstances. But if we live by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)—not only aware of our true citizenship but anchored in it fully—we will pray differently, speak differently, and live differently. We will grow into the identity we really have and assume God’s victory, provision, and protection over us, rather than pleading as struggling sinners trying to attain them. We will live a resurrected life that sheds disappointment easily. Why? Because we understand that heaven is not lamenting losses. The always-increasing Kingdom (Isaiah 9:7) is continually celebrating gains.

Many Christians are living with a defeatist perspective, not realizing that the perspective of heaven is available to them and is not defeatist at all. Meanwhile, one of the world’s greatest needs is people with access to heaven’s resources—its wisdom, power, love, revelation, provision, and mercies. For those who are seated with Christ, these things are never out of reach. We may need to persevere in our understanding and experience of them, but they are there. Assume them, grow in them, and give them freely to the citizens of earth. From where you sit, all things are possible.

{Jesus, what does it mean to be seated with you? What will my eyes be privileged to see? How do I access the power of your resurrection and the wonders of your love? Show me. Pour out your provision to the world through me. Amen.