“Men have a great deal of pleasure in human knowledge, in studies of natural things; but this is nothing to that joy which arises from divine light shining into the soul. This spiritual light is the dawning of the light of glory in the heart. There is nothing so powerful as this to support persons in affliction, and to give the mind peace and brightness in this stormy and dark world. This knowledge will wean from the world, and raise the inclination to heavenly things. It will turn the heart to God as the fountain of good, and to choose him for the only portion. This light, and this only, will bring the soul to a saving close with Christ. It conforms the heart to the gospel, mortifies its enmity and opposition against the scheme of salvation therein revealed: it causes the heart to embrace the joyful tidings, and entirely to adhere to, and acquiesce in the revelation of Christ as our Savior.”
― Jonathan Edwards
I must say that this entire week has been strewn with a bombardment of obstacles and storms which could shake the very depth of my faith and drive me to my knees. There is no doubt left in my mind the importance of this series nor that I have angered Satan through this and my earlier declaration of faith as God suddenly had fulfilled a promise He made 33 years ago. Shortly after that promise fulfilled, He had awakened once more a dream within me that I had long ago laid aside. I was marveling so much in the joy of these that my rejoicing must have angered Satan further; yet, I know that even then nothing occurs in my life without passing through the loving hands of God. So whatever obstacles and storms must come; let them come, because in the midst of that storm will shine forth God’s rainbow of hope. He will be my strength, my hope, and my joy overflowing. So with that, let’s press on with Living In Christ; which is our only hope within this world. Knowing who we are in Christ is absolutely essential to our being able to stand. Thus far we have said that the positions we hold as a Child of God are: Saints, Blessed, Chosen, Child of God, Redeemed(Risen), Enlightened, Beloved, and New Creation. Are you beginning to realize the impact this truth, when embraced, can change your Christian walk. Whichever conflict you may face and whatever fiery dart is thrown, you can stand in the center of your room, raise your arm high and shout, "I Am A Child of God or I AM Blessed or I AM Beloved" Are you beginning to see how this works? So let me give you the last four that I will be listing for you; though, I do believe that who we are in Christ is an inexhaustible list which I will be continuing to seek to grasp for the remainder of my Christian life.
Ephesians 3: 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
4 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Position #9: Heirs of Royalty We are the heirs of Royalty. Our Father is the King of Heaven and Earth. He owns all the cattle on a thousand hills. That means we have nothing to worry about or fret over when the economy has turned upside down. Our Father knows what we really need, just rest on that knowledge that He will work it out. One other point of this, as heirs of royalty the world is watching our every move and our every move reflects good or bad on our Father.
Position #10: Prisoners. Paul refers to himself as a prisoner of the Lord and I do believe that Paul is referring to the fact of being a prisoner of love. Christ’s overwhelming love for me has captured my heart. Much like the words of a song that Dennis Jernigan sings "When I fell in Love with You" which I recommend you buying and listening to each word. "I heard your love song from the cross, then I fell in love with you." That kind of love has made me a prisoner of love for Christ and I will follow Him where ever He leads.
Position #11: Servants Not only are we royalty, prisoners of love; but we become servants (out of devotion) for our heavenly Father and servants, thereby to all whom we meet or work for. Only as humble servants can we proclaim the name of Christ to a world in need of Him. Unless we learn to proclaim the truth of this position, this can be one of the hardest because by nature it goes against the human heart’s self-centered nature. Only in Christ can we truly live forth this positional truth.
Position #12: Faith filled Our Faith even must begin and end with God. It grows as we learn more and more of Him. Romans 10: "17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." God allows just enough trials and storms to grow up our faith as He did with the apostles. He is the author of our faith. Romans 12: "3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." So, if your faith is shaky; ask as the the father in Mark 923 "said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." Remember this, great faith comes from having seen God’s Mighty Hand work through Great Trials.
So, dear Friend; it is my sincere hope that your knowing these 12 positions that are yours in Christ will help you face whatever trials are before you with confidence, boldness, hope and joy rooted in Christ Jesus.
We will be continuing this series with the next step being what should our lives look like when we are Living in Christ and later end with how to Abide in Christ and utilize all this knowledge to strengthen each other along this glorious journey.