Understanding Your Spiritual Position

I read a familiar scripture recently (which I will soon share) that has led me to consider the significance of seating assignments. Anyway, in the process of my pondering, I have made some observations regarding the seats we regularly choose, some by personal selection, others by default, and still others because we simply don’t know where else to sit. I find it interesting, and perhaps you do as well, that most commonly we tend to sit in the same seats regularly, at the dinner table, on the sofa, in church on Sunday, and in classes and studies we attend. I guess we are each in our own way, creatures of habit.

Additionally, we all have preferred seats on airplanes, in restaurants, at the movies, in the theaters and at sporting events. Most commonly we tend to choose our seats based on comfort, convenience, and visibility. And yes, there are also those times when our seats have previously been chosen for us, such as weddings, formal ceremonies, and going way back in my history, I also vividly remember seating assignments in elementary school. (I never saw this last example as an opportunity to make new acquaintances, but rather a disappointment to be separated from my friends.) But what I’d actually like to propose is an altogether uniquely distinct type of seating assignment. This is one that we didn’t choose, pay for, earn, nor do we deserve. Rather this is a seat that has graciously been chosen for us by God.

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 ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

To fully grasp the weight of these words, you may need to read and re-read these verses several times, and potentially out loud at least once, to digest the overwhelming significance of these words. What is so clear through this scripture is that our spiritual seating assignment is not based on our righteous actions, but solely on God’s endless mercy and great love. We simply cannot dispute this amazing reality: God chose us even when, and in spite of the fact, that we were spiritually dead in our sin. And furthermore, because of His outrageous love and endless mercy, He redeemed us, gave us a new life, and seated us with His Perfect Son Jesus in heavenly places.

I believe we would all agree that this is good news, actually really good news! I mean think about it, what better seat could we possibly ever have than the one together with Jesus? And while this all sounds amazing, the reality is that no one alive on planet Earth is currently sitting with, next to, or even close by Jesus, at least physically. In spite of the most beautifully manicured, well-groomed, even gated neighborhood you may live in, it certainly can’t compare with the true beauty of heaven. So the questions I believe we all must consider are as follows:

  1. How can we realistically appropriate this verse in the here and now?
  2. How are we in the present able to practically comprehend a future heavenly seating position?

And the best ways to answer these questions are not with personal, subjective or even intellectual thoughts, but rather with scripture.

 

Spiritually Positioned

To begin with, our position as seated together with Christ in heavenly places, is a spiritual rather than a physical placement.

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

 

Indwelled by the Spirit

And next, because we are in Christ, the Holy Spirit of God now resides inside of us.

And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts… Galatians 4:6 (NLT)

 

Intentional Thinking

And finally, as a result, we are called to intentionally and consistently align our thoughts with heavenly thoughts.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

In essence, we have been positioned by God and empowered by His Spirit to live with Christ in heavenly places in the present by living and acting as citizens of heaven while here on earth.

But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting for the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthly bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him. ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭(MSG‬)

So in light of all of these wonderful truths, the final question that I am led to consider is this: If indeed we have been spiritually positioned by God Himself in a most glorious, advantageous seat with a celestial view, why would we ever choose to place ourselves in lesser or inferior seats? By this I am referring to seats of discouragement, defeat, bitterness, fear, worry, anger or even loneliness? These are not places that God has created for us to sit, rest or reside, at least not for an extended period of time and most definitely not for the long term. Instead, our gracious Father has lovingly and sovereignly positioned us as sons and daughters to sit together with Him in places and spaces of peace, rest, joy, victory, love, forgiveness, and authority. This is our spiritual seating assignment, but like everything else in our journey with God, the choice in regards to what we believe, who we will follow, how we will live, and in light of today’s topic, even where we will sit, is ultimately one we must make. And if we commit to this choice by abiding and residing in the spiritual seats assigned to us, the scripture promises a life marked with peace, delight, fruitfulness, and blessing.

 

The Blessed Seat in the House

Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example], Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of scoffers (ridiculers). But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season; Its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity]. ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭(AMP‬‬)

 

For Reflection

Read this verse out loud with the personalization I have included.

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

Next, take a moment to verbalize or journal your gratitude to God for His mercy, love, grace, and spiritual positioning on your behalf.

Finally, consider any lesser or inferior seats you may currently be sitting in. Talk to God about this in prayer and ask Him to give you the courage and strength to change your seating assignment.

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#seated #spiritualposition #heavenlyplaces #Christ #gracenotesforyou.com