Effie Darlene Barba

Have you felt God’s mighty power surging through your veins as we have pressed forward in this series? Are you beginning to grasp the importance of knowing who you are in Christ?  Is your heart pounding with excitement over realizing that you are the redeemed (risen), blessed, beloved, chosen, child of the King-heir of royalty, imprisoned by abounding love, servant because of overwhelming gratitude, enlightened by His light, New Creation, filled with His gifted faith, and declared a Saint because of Christ imparting His righteousness to cloak you forevermore?  If your heart is not pounding and you are not feeling like shouting out with praise to Him; then I might suggest that you go back and carefully read Acts 20 followed by reading the book of Ephesians as many times as it takes.  Also go back and read this series from it’s beginning.  It is my prayer that you do feel the rising hope and power that can be yours from knowing and embracing who you are in Christ.  This is an evil, dark world in which we live and we need to be shining light into it by reflecting the light and the Glory of Christ like mirrors (emptied of self and filled with His love, joy, power, and grace).  So let us all march forward proclaiming the name of Christ both in our speech and in our life’s example of who we are in Christ.  We began yesterday to list some of the examples of what our life will look like when we fully grasp, embrace, and hold tight to the positions that we have in Christ Jesus. 

Example #7:  Because of the positions I hold in Christ–I walk in the light rather than in darkness.  Ephesians 5: "

8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."

Awaken, oh my soul, I eagerly search His scripture, God’s letters to me that my heart may be filled with His light and every darkened crevice searched that He might remove the chaff, the soot of sin, and every desire that is contrary to His desire for me. I desire and seek after the light to purify my thought and my deed.

Example #8:  Because of the positions I hold in Christ–I will walk wisely with discernment.  I will listen ever so intently as I separate myself into quiet prayer and memorize every detail of His voice so that in the bustling hurry and scurry of the day I will be able to distinguish clearly my Father’s voice and not be deceived by Satan’s constant clamor.  Ephesians 5: "15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is."   John 10: "And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

Now as we continue on, we will get even more specific as to how living in Christ will affect certain roles in live.

Example #9:  Because of the positions I hold in Christ–I will be a loving, submissive, respectful wife.  If you just decided that I moved from teaching to meddling or you are over there whispering, "fine for her to say–she is a widow and not currently married"–I do certainly refer you back to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.  Ephesians 5: "22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing."  This is not a natural behavior for a heart that is filled with "needs, wants and desires"–so bent on self fulfillment and self gratification.  We can only become this kind of wife by God’s strength, love, grace, joy, and mercy flowing through us as we live out a life that is IN Christ (my only hope to be the wife I need to be and the Christian I need to be).  As I learn to submit to Christ, I learn to submit to my husband and to some extent the vice versa occurs that as I by God’s empowerment learn to submit to my husband, I learn to submit even more to Christ. C. S. Lewis penned it well in his book "The Four Loves" when he wrote about "Charity Love-which is God like Agape love:  "In such a case the Divine Love does not substitute itself for the natural–as if we had to throw away our silver to make room for the gold.  The natural loves are summoned to become modes of Charity  while also remaining the natural loves they were.  One sees here at once a sort of echo or rhyme or corollary to the Incarnation itself.  And this need not surprise us, for the author of both is the same.  As Christ is perfect God and perfect Man, the natural loves are called to be come perfect Charity and also perfect natural loves.  As God becomes Man not by conversion of the God head into flesh, but by taking of the Manhood into God, so here Charity does not dwindle into merely natural love but natural love is taken up into, made the tuned and obedient instrument of, LOVE HIMSELF."

Example #10:  Because of the positions they hold  in Christ—Husbands will love their wives in the same manner as Christ loved the Church.  Ephesians 5: "25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:"  Just as Christ sees me beyond the person I am today and sees the best that I can and will be in Christ, so a husband when he looks upon his wife must see through any flaws to look upon the core of her heart and love.  Christ ever so gently takes my hand to guide me, teach me, transform me into that perfect, flawless, unblemished, spotless bride of Christ.  So, should a husband see the greatest inner beauty of who his wife will be and then gently guide her through encouragement, through Bible study and through love help her to become that perfect, beautiful wife for whom the husband is also willing to die to his own pride and self-centered desires so that she might shine brighter.

Example #11:  Because of the positions I hold in Christ–I will honor my parents.  Ephesians 5: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."

Example #12:  Because of the positions I hold in Christ–I will be a loving parent who guides my children with the same patience as God has guided me.  My most important mission will be to introduce them to Christ as that is the greatest gift I can ever give them. Ephesians 6: "4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

Example #13:  Because of the positions I hold in Christ—I will be a humble servant to my employer. To accomplish this I must always work realizing that for the time that God has appointed that I be at that job, I am doing the work for God. Ephesians 6: "5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free."

Example #14:  Because of the positions I hold in Christ—I will never threaten or demean an employee or subordinate.  If I do I stand in harsh judgement by my heavenly Father.  Ephesians 6: "9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him."

Let me end this part with a prayer,

Lord, I stand is awe and amazement that you have chosen me to be your child.  My greatest desire is to quietly sit at your feet and rest there in your presence basking in your love and your joy.  But, my Lord and Savior, you have asked that I go out into the fields to gather the harvest.  Too often in the past I have lost my way because I did not realize all that I am in You; so, Lord write it upon my heart, shout it out to me as I must go and do your bidding.  Guide my every step.  Never let me forget that everything I do reflects upon your name and my greatest desire is to honor your name so all will want to come to know you.  Never let me forget the Cross of Christ and how much He suffered that I might be redeemed.  Never let me forget that there is no suffering too great to endure for the salvation of one soul.  Forgive, Father those who have tried to do me harm–they do not know what they are doing or understand that I am your child.  They do not know you and my prayer Father is that they come to know you.  Please shine your light down into their darkened hearts that they might see you, desire you, and seek you. It is in the precious name of Christ we pray.  Amen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZYpjBeM0To

It is my hope and desire that this series has an impact on your life to the same extent that writing it has on mine.  As Paul the Apostle wrote this letter to the church of Ephesus, he had provided the truth of how to live this Christian Life.  If we do not understand the positions which are ours in Christ, we are easily tossed to and fro by trials, tribulations, false doctrine, Satan’s whispering lies, fears, and doubts.  Knowing who we are in Christ  empowers us to stand against the storms, fiery darts, and the evil which surrounds us.  So once more, let me name for you at least 12 positions that are yours if you know Christ as your Savior; thereby, being In Christ.  Those 12 are:  Saints, Blessed, Chosen, Child of God, Risen Redeemed, Enlightened, Beloved, New Creation, Heirs of Royalty, Prisoners of Love, Servants, and Faith filled.  Look in the mirror every morning and say I am in front of each of these with conviction and I guarantee your life will change.  Too often we don’t recognize this and that is why we are so easily tossed about by every wind of change that occurs.  When we know this, cling to it’s truth, and stand in awe of the marvelous grace and love of God; then, our walk changes as well.  Let’s look at a few examples of what our walk will look like. 

Example #1:  Because of the positions I hold in Christ–I will stand firm, rooted In Christs love.  Ephesians 4: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Example #2:  Because of the positions I hold in Christ–I will put on the righteousness which is mine and lay aside all the former desires, lusts, and selfishness.  After all, why would I ever want to dishonor my Father by running around in the filthy rags that were formerly mine?  Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Example #3:  Because of the positions I hold in Christ–I will be forgiving, merciful, and gracious (even to those who would want to harm me).   Yes, I recognize this may at first look very difficult; but bare with me.  If we truly understand who we are in Christ; then, we know that when others harm us–our Daddy takes it very seriously.  I am His blessed, chosen, beloved child.  He really takes it seriously.  Since I know that–my reaction suddenly changes.  Give you an example, this week it became evident that there are some who are out to harm me.  Initially, I felt hurt–went to God in prayer and suddenly I remembered who I am in Christ.  Then, instead of wishing any harm in return, with no spirit of retaliation; I began to pray for the salvation of their soul.  I pitied them because they don’t know my Heavenly Father; what miserable creatures they must be standing outside of His love. Knowing how seriously my Father’s wrath is against anyone who would harm a child of His, I began to pray an intervening prayer for them asking for their salvation instead.  Ephesians 5: "31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you."

Example #4:  Because of the positions I hold in Christ–I will walk in Love. How could you do otherwise?  Remember that feeling of when you fell in love with someone and the whole world looked brighter, happier.  You seemed to suddenly become kind and loving toward everyone you meet because you are in love and are loved.  Okay, that is nothing compared to the love we have in Christ.  I AM HIS BELOVED and I have fallen deeply, madly in love with Jesus Christ, my Savior.  So what should my day to day life look like?  Shouldn’t it be dancing, praising, rejoicing, happy, with overflowing love to those around me.?  Shouldn’t it? Ephesians 5:  Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. 

Example #5:  Because of who I am in Christ–I will lay aside sin and wear my robes of righteousness instead through the power of the Holy Spirit which indwells and not of my own power.  Were I to ever think this is of my own power, then pride will have entered and with it sin.  So my only hope of righteousness is found in Christ and in dying to myself that He might live through me.  That power I have in Christ and Christ Alone.  Ephesians 5: "3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient:"

Example #6: Because of who I am in Christ–I will be rejoicing and joyous.  Ephesians 5: 8 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

What an amazing life we have found in Christ!!  As we continue, I have a few more Examples of how our life looks when we are truly Living In Christ before we move on to the practicalities of "How do I do this?  How do I transform this head knowledge into life changing heart knowledge?"  While we continue to explore this step by step, I do urge you to never stop believing, never stop praying and never stop seeking Christ with all your heart. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBqUwpCvCL8

“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.

There are moments when I am writing what I feel to be an important series- (one that God has laid heavily on my heart), that suddenly my own mind and heart becomes bombarded with Satan’s flaming arrows of doubt, fears, and frustrating lies.  Perhaps, I like many dear Christians called to perform a ministry find that by the very nature of it we must be constantly open to empathy and to introspection.  Both of which lay us open to the bombardment of arrows.  I have begun to learn that when these attacks seem to be of a nature most furious, that I must be in the midst of writing something that is very damaging to Satan’s cause and thus I must press forward.  Additionally, I am learning better how to fight this battle for joy in Christ; regardless of the raging storms that surround me.  Thus was my state of mind yesterday morning.  The arrows seemed to enter from every side.  "You are a fool if you think God can use you-look at you.  Don’t you remember all the failures strung along the path?  All the desires now laying dormant along the roadside of your past." fired from Satan’s lips.  "You are an idiot with money, why would God ever provide for you?  Look at all the money you have given away in the past.  You really think God cares?" as Satan presses on in his accusations.  "God doesn’t even sell your books.  Why do you think that is?  Because my child, you don’t matter; how stupid can you be to think God could love or bless you with anything?  Look at you."  I suddenly realized that I must be in the midst of a very important series, I then prayed to God, "Daddy, I need you now.  I picked up my shield of faith and my sword of truth. To Satan I replied, "So what if I am a fool who has failed in the past.  I am a Child of God and my Daddy, paid the dearest price for my purchase as Christ’s blood was shed to cover my sins and because of that I am covered by His righteousness.  I have been declared a saint because of the righteousness He has chosen to impart to me in exchange for my failures and my sins.  You are right I deserve nothing; yet, I am chosen by the most High God and the Blessings I have no money could ever purchase.  So you had better run away now."  Then miraculously Satan fled. 

Knowing the scripture and understanding who we are in Christ is paramount to our being able to fight to hold firm to our Joy in Christ, our Hope in Christ and to march forward into battle in this world so filled with trials, pains, and tribulations.  That is why Paul was so diligent to teach this very thing.  I urge you to reread Ephesians 1-2 and yesterdays blog.  I am including these scriptures here for those who may not have it available otherwise. 

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

2 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

In part 2A we looked at four positions held because we are in Christ (hidden in Him by faith unto salvation, covered by His robe of righteousness).  Those four were:  Saint, Chosen, Blessed, Child of God.  Now lets explore four more positions which are ours because of the saving work of Christ on the Cross.

Position #5:   Redeemed (risen)  Our own sin and sinful nature made us dead to God.  Our spirit without the redeeming work of Christ is unable to commune with God’s Spirit and our soul is eternally dead to the presence of God.  To help explain, there is arguably no such thing as darkness.  There is light and darkness is the absence of light.  The same is true, as God "breathed into man the breath of life and he became a living soul"; therefore, a soul’s life is dependent upon God’s Spirit Indwelling.  God is life and the absence of God is death (in reference to the soul).  The same is true of evil in regards to the world.  God is righteousness of which there is none without Him.  Therefore, the absence of God is evil.  Look now at these verses, Ephesians 2: "4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."

Note that we are already raised from the dead and seated in heavenly places together with Christ.  We are already raised from the dead state in which He found us.  We may spiritually go "boldly unto the throne of grace that we may find mercy, and find grace to help in time of need"  The grace I need for the next minute or the next 5 minutes to face whatever I may need to face is already promised because I have been redeemed and risen from the dead.  This is very important because I must realize that God has not only provided the grace for my salvation 53 years ago, but has provided the grace to sustain me while growing me up all of these years, and has already provided the Future Grace that will continue to hold me and transform me into the likeness of Christ where I may enjoy the fullest benefits and riches of His Love, Joy, and Glory.

Position #6:    Enlightened.  Without the light of God shining into the darkness of our heart through His word, we cannot come to know Him.  Yet, once we accept Christ as our Savior and as we seek His and savor Him, we are enlightened more and more with the knowledge of Him and of all that we possess in Christ. As God’s glory is so great that we cannot in our current state see it fully, this is an ever growing, illuminating process.  If you had spent your entire life in darkness and suddenly were exposed to the brightest of lights, you would be blinded by the light.  Thus in the Christian walk, we are step by step given more and more revelations of who God really is and the fullness of the Grace He has bestowed on us, if we seek Him with all our hearts.  This enlightenment leads to our learning more and more how to live out this new life found in Christ.  That enlightenment shines down the light of God into every crevice of our spiritual heart until no darkness remains.  The completeness will occur when one day we stand before Christ, but crevice by crevice God transforms our darkness into His brilliant light through the work of the Holy Spirit, through prayer, and through studying His word.

Position #7:    Beloved.  What greater demonstration of love could God have demonstrated to you than that He would send Christ, His beloved son to die on the cross in your stead.  Imagine this for a moment, Christ is the beloved son of God of whom He is well pleased; yet, He loved you so very much that He was willing to pour out all of His wrath against sin upon this His son so that He might be able to declare you (with your self-centered, covetous, sin-filled heart) as righteous saint and to adopt you into His family to take part in the inheritance of all His riches.  What kind of love would love you so much?  A love that goes beyond anything that you could ever imagine.

Position  #8:   New Creation  "workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)  Because God has called you His beloved and provides the enlightenment needed to transform your heart, and has provided you the only means of redemption–raising you from the dead to sit in heavenly places with Christ Jesus.  He has made you a new creation in Christ and has provided everything needed to live forth that life he has created you for in Christ Jesus.  This new vessel that He has created from the impure lump of clay that was you can now boldly live forth the good works He has preordained in you.

Now, dear Christian, let me ask you "Where is the strength to make you bold?"  Please read this poem I wrote several years ago and I hope it helps you to understand who you are in Christ.  If you do not know Him, my prayer is that your eyes are suddenly enlightened enough that you ask Him into your heart today.

The Grace in Which I Stand

Oh feeble heart, Oh fragile soul

Where is the hope on which you hold

With all the failures of your past

Where is the faith to make you bold

Where is the faith to make you bold

There was a King though blameless He

That came to pay my penalty

And in that act He set me free

To follow Him in liberty

To follow Him in liberty

It is His love that drew me out

And in His Grace I shall not doubt

That He who started this work in me

Will finish it with a Glorious Shout

Will finish it with a Glorious Shout

One day the finished work be done

That I might look then like God’s son

Sifted, shined just like pure Gold

As Glory shines forth, Glorious One

As Glory shines forth, Glorious One

And in this hope my faith conformed

I know my life will be transformed

I stand upon this future grace

So for His work my passion warmed

So for His work my passion warmed

So in this faith I firmly stand

That formed in me as God had planned

No force on earth can shake me free

My future held by God’s great hand

My future held by God’s great hand.

The following song is perhaps one of my favorites and I hope you enjoy it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoPyLcY6Zv4 (Preview)

I cannot tell you much about age 5, there are only a few memories; yet, one memory stands out clearly.  One Sunday morning Dr. M.R. Dehaan was preaching as I heard his voice over the radio.  I was in the kitchen entrance and facing the light switch.  Since mom never used time outs for punishment, I cannot tell you why I was there facing the light switch.  I cannot tell you how a 5 year old could be filled with shame and guilt, knowing that I was unworthy of Christ; yet,  I remember that overwhelming feeling of unworthiness and need to have God in my life. Dr. DeHaan as he was well known for was explaining that the blood of Christ was shed to cover our guilt and sin and when the invitation came to ask Christ to come into my heart, I accepted Christ as My Savior.   It has taken most of my Christian journey to begin to understand what it meant to be in Christ.  I desired with all my heart to please Him.  I wanted to gain His love and somehow felt that each time I had failed Him that perhaps He had saved me; but maybe I would never be good enough to earn His love.  It was all that I desired.  Still, each time I failed I feared His wrath would  be poured out on me.  I knew my salvation was by Grace, but believed that I still somehow needed to work diligently to gain His pleasure.  That lack of understanding as to what it means to be in Christ became my stumbling block over the years.  Still, it was His love and His Mercy which ever so gently began a work in me to transform me into the likeness of Christ–one glory at a time, tiny steps toward changing my heart, revealing to me the fullness of love that He had always had for me.  As Christians too often we go about our journey without fully realizing who we are in Christ.  Because we do not recognize the positions we hold as part of being the chosen bride of Christ, we go about our walk with the hesitancy, stumbling and falls that one sees in a small baby learning to walk.  In fact I watch little Haley as her legs wobble beneath her.   Her hands reach out to hold herself up to grasp hold of anything within her reach to steady that walk.  How much like many years of my Christian walk, reaching, grasping to hold on to anything that could steady my walk and never fully recognizing the depth, the breadth, the heighth of God’s love that was holding me firm or the magnitude of all that I truly possessed as a result of my being In Christ.  It is for that reason that I want to share with you from the Word of God, what positions are yours because you are in Christ.  Only then can you boldly walk forth and live out the life that you have in Christ with confidence and strength of spirit.  If you do not know Christ as your Savior, my prayer is that you will see His Glorious magnificence and will ask Him into your heart today.

As we looked at Paul’s final visit to the elders of the church of Ephesus, we saw many characteristic fruits that were displayed in Paul’s life as a result of Paul understanding and living forth his life in Christ.  That phrase "In Christ" is first used referring to the ministry of Paul in Acts 24: "4 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ."  Yet that same phrase occurs over and over within the letters of Paul.  This was the key pivotal truth of the gospel that there is no salvation through any other means but in Christ and Christ alone. Romans 3: "24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."  Yet, as Paul knew the positions we have as a result of our being in Christ were much more than just a key to get us into heaven–it was our very being, our joy, our hope and the only means that we have to live out this glorious gift that we have received.  That is why Paul always taught the young believers about what great and mighty positions they possessed through faith in Christ.  Were I to just list them, I fear you might as I did some time ago not grasp their significance; therefore we will go through them with a little more depth.  Let us go to the book of Ephesians and begin with Chapter one while exploring the first 4 positions we hold as a result of our being in Christ. 

Ephesians 1:

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Position #1:  Saints.  Because we are redeemed by the blood of Christ, we have been declared Saints.  Our sainthood was purchased by Christ.  Just as Paul wrote in Romans, Christ by paying our penalty for sin not only cleansed us of our unrighteousness but also clothed us in His Righteousness–declaring us to be saints (sanctified and filled with righteousness).  So you might say, then why do I fail so much?  Partly because you don’t believe it or grasp it.  We choose so often to believe the other truth of "I am but a sinner saved by grace".  We hold onto that concept of I am a sinner so we say  “what does it matter whatever I try I will fail, so might as well not try anyway.  It does not matter if I sin, because grace has saved me and it will not change my getting into heaven.” WRONG, WRONG, WRONG.  The truth is I am a saint named so by Christ and until I recognize that, hold firm to that truth, believe that truth I will never allow His power in me to live a life reflecting that truth. 

Position #2:   Blessed.  I am blessed with all spiritual blessings–joy, hope, faith, laughter, love, and peace are mine.  Some might want to claim wealth, fame and the name it claim it game.  But what we have is much greater than any counterfeit possession or counterfeit joy.  Our spiritual blessings include all that which is in heaven and earth.  An overflowing fountain of praise and worship to God, our Father and to Christ our Redeemer which fills us and overflows.  Have you ever felt overwhelmingly moved at a worship service?  Well that is nothing, absolutely nothing to compare with what we actually possess within us and what we will know when we stand before Him with His Glory, His Love, and His Joy.

Position #3:   Chosen.  Look at this and I wish I could on paper reflect the rising inflection of my voice as I tell you with abounding hope and joy "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:"  He chose me. In love, He chose me.  I will not tell you that I understand all there is to predestination; but I can say without a doubt and with utter amazement–He chose me.  This unworthy, sometimes foolish, sometimes self centered, wretch that I am–He chose me.  How did that little 5 year old understand her need of salvation, unless God revealed it to me.  So once more–He chose me and He has never let go of me.  That changes everything.  Every day I must fall down before Him who loved me so and sing as the words of the song sung by Phillips, Craig, and Dean in "Your Grace Still Amazes me".  Listen to these words,  "Your grace still amazes me, your love is still a mystery, each day I fall on my knees because your grace still amazes me."  When I realize that He chose me how could I not fall prostate before Him and offer Him all of my heart, my mind, my life so that He can use it as He wills. 

Position #4:   Child of God.  I was adopted into His family as His child and joint-heir with Jesus Christ.  That is no little deal.  I was picked up off the street, chosen and carried into the Royal Palace of the King of the Universe, the Creator of all and am called His Child.  Look at who my Daddy is?  Romans 8: "14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."  So why would I ever want to put back on my filthy robes and eat out of trash cans again when my Daddy has everything I could ever need.  Metaphorically that is exactly what we do when we fail to recognize our position as a child of God and dig around in lusts, greed, desires, and lasciviousness searching for joy when we already possess it in Christ.  All we really need to do is sit quietly at the feet of our Father, learning of Him, talking with Him to experience full joy and possess all that we need.  What do I really need besides Him? 

These 4 positions are only a few of those we will discover and claim through this series; but, let me ask you a question. 

Dear Child of God–Chosen, Blessed, Saint; why would you ever be downcast?  Why would you ever accept defeat?  Why would you ever chase after futile desires when you have everything you desire In Christ?  Do you know who you are in Christ?  Then, rest in these truths and let them fill you so that they will overflow like fountains of life spilling forth for a world who needs Him to see.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXVUYC_ykwE (Preview)    "Your Grace Still Amazes Me"