TOPIC OF THE MONTH: BY GOD’S GRACE WE ARE MADE ALIVE TOGETHER WITH CHRIST (Ephesians 2: 4-7)
Key Scripture: 1Peter 1: 3-5.
Introduction
Last Sunday April 19th 2023 we saw that God intervened in our perishing state when he made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions (Ephesians 2:4-5). Today our message comes from the next two verses 6 and 7 of the same chapter. By grace we have been saved. “And God; raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6-7). Our salvation was God’s own initiative through his Son Jesus Christ.
The Benefit and result of our Salvation
The result of our salvation is that God has raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly places. God did not only make us alive from the dead but also raised us and sat us with his Son in heavenly realms (2:5-6). We are totally identified with Christ in his death, resurrection and ascension. Our being raised with Christ refers to when he ascended into heaven and took his place at the right hand of his Father. We ascended with him although we still live on this earth we are now citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20).
We were formally the children of the wrath belonging to Satan’s kingdom of darkness. We now are children of the light in God’s
heavenly kingdom (Col.1:13). We do not belong here. Our true home is in heaven. Here on earth we are pilgrims. Our identity is in Christ and we should seek the things of above where Christ is seated at the right hand of his Father and this is where we belong and our life is hidden (Col.3:1-4).
We are seated with Him in heavenly realms
Since we have been raised with him and seated with him in heavenly places, we can exercise his authority against the forces of evil because he is with us. He says all authority in heaven and on earth has been given him and he will be with us even to the every end of age (Matt. 28: 18, 20). While there is still a battle raging between us and Christ’s enemies and are not yet subjected to him, we engage in the battle through prayers. When we pray against the evil forces of darkness, we do so in the name of Jesus Christ because we are in him. We cannot stand against the enemy in our own strength without Christ. Christ releases his authority through a praying church; this is our privilege and our strength.
The Purpose of our Salvation
The purpose of God saving us is to extend us into eternity where Christ has promised to be with us to the end of age (Matt. 28:20). If God brought you from death to life through the death and resurrection of his Son He is not going to let you go. He will bring us all into eternity to behold his glory. The angels will marvel when they see the surpassing riches of God’s grace on those redeemed in heaven. Our salvation is the demonstration of God’s glory.
Conclusion
Paul wanted us to know that since salvation is a free gift of God and totally is God’s, there is also eternal hope for all who are dead in their sins. God is in the business of raising the dead. If today he has
opened your eyes to your true condition as a sinner under his just wrath, flee to Christ and trust him for salvation. He is beckoning you with open hands to receive you and forgive your sins. God’s exciting love and great mercy is for every sinner who comes to Christ.
If you have received new life in Christ, God wants you to live in light of it. Live as a citizen of heaven separated from this evil world. Jesus says “If you belonged to this world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but l have chosen you out of the world. This is why the world hates you” (John 15:19). His grace gives us assurance and hope even in the midst of trials even in the face of death itself.
Respectively shared by Henry A. Ambundo
April 23rd 2023