PRE-408-408. The Blessings of Being in Christ

408. The Blessings of Being in Christ

The Blessings of Being in Christ

by David Wilkerson

August 23, 2004

[May 19, 1931 '96 April 27, 2011]

Paul says, '93Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ'94 (Eph_1:3). Paul is telling us, in essence, '93All who follow Jesus are blessed with spiritual blessings in heavenly places, where Christ is.'94 What an incredible promise to God'92s people.

Yet, this promise becomes mere words if we don'92t know what these spiritual blessings are. How can we enjoy the blessings that God promises us if we don'92t comprehend them?

Paul wrote this epistle '93to the faithful in Christ Jesus'94 (1:1). These were believers who were sure of their salvation. The Ephesians had been well trained in the gospel of Jesus Christ and the hope of eternal life. They knew who they were in Christ, and were assured of their heavenly position in him. Indeed, they were well grounded in the truth that they were made to '93sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus'94 (2:6).

These '93faithful ones'94 fully understood that '93God '85 raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places'94 (1:20). They knew they'92d been chosen by God from '93before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love'94 (1:4). They grasped that they were adopted '93by Jesus Christ to himself'94 (1:5). God had brought them into his family, because when they heard the word of truth, they believed and trusted it.

The Ephesian believers were truly a blessed people. They rejoiced in their redemption through Christ'92s blood, knowing the great spiritual blessing of being forgiven of their sins. Indeed, they were so knowledgeable about the riches of God'92s grace, most were capable of teaching others. If they met people who were hungry for God, they could show them the glory of the Cross. They could teach of God'92s mercy and love, of his holiness, of walking blameless before him. They could speak of the Resurrection, of God'92s goodness, of heaven and hell, of the consequences of living in sin.

I trust that most who are reading this message are like those Ephesians: faithful, well-taught believers. You know the redemptive power of the gospel of Christ. You know the doctrine of the new birth. You'92re well schooled in the knowledge of grace, accepting the victory that comes by faith alone and not by works.

If this describes you, I have something more to say. That is, many Christians have never entered into the joy that God has promised them. Let me explain.

I believe a majority of Christians, including ministers, never get beyond forgiveness of sins and a hope of future glory in heaven.

Many forgiven, cleansed, redeemed people live in misery. They never have a sense of being fulfilled in Christ. Instead, they continually go from peaks to valleys, from spiritual highs to depressing lows. They'92re always nagged by a sense of, '93Something is missing. I'92m just not getting it.'94

As I look back over my life, I'92m amazed by all the devoted Christians I'92ve known who were never sure of their salvation. This was especially true of many Pentecostal people, godly men and women who'92d served the Lord for up to fifty years. They knew all the doctrines, truths and teachings of the faith, and they ministered faithfully. But they never entered into the supernatural joy that was available to them in Christ.

The truth is, it'92s possible to know about all these things '97 Jesus'92 sacrifice for us, the cleansing power of his blood, justification by faith '97 and yet never enter into the fullness of God'92s blessings. How could this be, you ask? It'92s because many Christians never get past the crucified Savior to the resurrected Lord who lives in glory.

In Joh_14:1-31, Jesus tells us it'92s time for us to know our heavenly position in him. He explained to the disciples, '93Because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you'94 (Joh_14:19-20). We'92re now living in '93that day'94 Jesus speaks of. In short, we'92re to understand our heavenly position in Christ.

Of course, most of us do know our position in Christ '97 that we'92re seated with him in heavenly places '97 but only as a theological fact. We don'92t know it as experience. What do I mean by this expression, '93our position in Christ'94? Very simply, position is '93where one is placed, where one is.'94 God has placed us where we are, which is in Christ.

In turn, Christ is in the Father, seated at his right hand. Therefore, if we'92re in Christ, then we'92re actually seated with Jesus in the throne room, where he is. That means we'92re sitting in the presence of the Almighty. This is what Paul refers to when he says we'92re made to '93sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus'94 (Eph_2:6).

You may say, '93But I never feel like I'92m in a heavenly place. I always sense I'92m in a wilderness, suffering affliction and harassment. If that'92s being in a heavenly place in Christ, then I'92m just not getting it.'94 I assure you, your seasons of trials are common to all believers. No, the phrase '93in Christ, in heavenly places'94 (1:3) isn'92t something you can attain. It'92s what God says of you. If you'92re in Christ, then in the Father'92s eyes you'92re seated near him, at his right hand.

The fact is, the moment you place your trust in Jesus, you'92re taken into Christ by faith. God acknowledges you in his Son, seating you with him in the heavenlies. This isn'92t merely some theological point, but a truth, a factual position. So now, as you surrender your will to the Lord'92s, you'92re able to claim all the spiritual blessings that come with your position.

Of course, being '93in Christ'94 doesn'92t mean you leave this earth. You can'92t manufacture some emotion or feeling that takes you up into a literal heaven. No, heaven has come down to you. Christ the Son and God the Father came into your heart and made their abode there: '93If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him'94 (Joh_14:23).

Yes, Jesus is in paradise, the Man in glory. And yes, his Spirit moves over all the earth. But the Lord also abides in you and me specifically. He has made us his temple on the earth, his dwelling place. Consider Jesus'92 powerful statements about this:

'93He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him'94 (14:21). '93That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us '85 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one'94 (17:21'9623, italics mine).

Take another look at the verse in italics. Jesus says, in essence, '93The glory that you gave me, Father, I have given to them.'94 Christ is making an incredible statement here. He'92s saying we'92ve been given the same glory that the Father gave to him. What an amazing thought. Yet, what is this glory that was given to Christ, which he in turn has given to us? And how do our lives reveal that glory.

The glory we'92ve been given is open-door access to the Father.

The glory Christ has given us isn'92t some aura or emotion. No, very simply, the glory we have received is unimpeded access to the heavenly Father.

Jesus made it easy for us to access the Father, opening the door for us by the Cross: '93For through him [Christ] we both [we and those far off] have access by one Spirit unto the Father'94 (Eph_2:18). The word '93access'94 means the right to enter. It signifies free passage, as well as ease of approach: '93In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him'94 (3:12).

Do you see what Paul is saying here? By faith, we'92ve come into a place of unimpeded access to God. We'92re not like Esther in the Old Testament. She had to nervously await a sign from the king before she could approach the throne. Only after he held out his scepter was Esther approved to come forward.

By contrast, you and I are already in the throne room. And we have the right and privilege of speaking to the king at any time. Indeed, we'92re invited to make any request of him: '93Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need'94 (Heb_4:16).

When Christ ministered on earth, he enjoyed full access to the Father. He said, '93I can do nothing on my own. I do only what the Father tells me and shows me'94 (see Joh_5:19; Joh_5:30; Joh_8:28).

Moreover, Jesus didn'92t have to slip away to prayer to obtain the Father'92s mind. Of course, he prayed often and intensely, but that was about fellowship with the Father. It was a different matter in his everyday activities, whether he was teaching, healing or casting out demons. Jesus knew at all times that he was in the Father, and the Father was in him. He didn'92t have to '93go up'94 to the Father to know what to do. The Father was already dwelling in him, making himself known. And Jesus always heard a word behind him, saying, '93This is the way '85 here is what to do'85'94

Today, we'92ve been given the very same degree of access to the Father that Christ had. You may be thinking, '93Wait a minute, that'92s mind-boggling. I have the same access to the Father that Jesus, the Creator and Lord of the universe, did?'94

Make no mistake: like Jesus, we'92re to pray often and fervently. We'92re to be seekers of God, waiting on the Lord. But in our daily walk '97 our comings and goings, our relationships, our family life, our ministry '97 we don'92t have to slip away to beseech God for a word of strength or direction. We have his very own Spirit living in us. And the Holy Spirit reveals to us the mind and will of the Father. His voice is always behind us, saying, '93This is the way, walk in it.'94

The truth about our union with Christ was a hidden mystery to the church until Paul came on the scene.

The Holy Spirit used Paul to open this mystery, which is, '93Christ in you, the hope of glory.'94 Of course, the church had learned about saving grace. They knew salvation was by faith and not by works. After all, they'92d been serving Jesus before Paul came along. They knew about repentance and had experienced the Father'92s mercy.

But then Paul showed up, declaring, '93Repentance and good works are not enough. It'92s not enough that you came to Christ and believed, or that you now have great spiritual knowledge. You need something more than simply believing in Christ. Now you must walk in the blessings and fullness in him.'94 '93As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him'94 (Col_2:6).

What was Paul talking about? What did he mean by '93walking in Christ?'94 Hadn'92t these believers been doing that for years? Simply put, Paul was speaking of the blessings of being in Christ. And he was telling the church in no uncertain terms that they didn'92t know the full revelation of those blessings. He described a different attitude, which says:

'93I don'92t want a mere head knowledge of my salvation. I want to experience it. I want to know what it means to walk in the fullness of Christ'92s salvation. I don'92t want just to know about heaven. I want every heavenly blessing that God has made available to me today. He has promised '91every spiritual blessing,'92 and he died to bring me near him, where I can enjoy those blessings. I want my life to reflect that fact. I want every spiritual truth of heaven to be a part of my daily walk now. These blessings can no longer be just theological concepts. They have to become a reality.'94

Beloved, this is not a complicated issue. Simply ask yourself: have you received Jesus not just as your Savior, but as the enthroned Lord in heaven? And have you accepted that the enthroned Lord lives in you? If so, what effects do you see in your life? What has been the effect of waking up each morning knowing Christ not only saved you from sin, but lives in you? What is the effect of knowing he gave his life to break down walls of separation so he could be near you, to love and fellowship with you?

We'92ve been given heaven here in our souls. Yes, that taste of heaven is meant to be a foretaste of the glory that awaits us. But it'92s also given as a portion of our inheritance to use right now. Our Savior Jesus Christ came to give us much more than redemption. He came so that we might have fullness of life every day.

That doesn'92t mean we no longer experience pain or sorrow. Every Christian will continue to face temptations and hardships. But in the midst of our trials, we'92re able to abound with thanksgiving, because of his everlasting kindness toward us. Paul tells us this is exactly why God has made us to sit together in Christ: '93That '85 he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus'94 (Eph_2:7).

Here is the effect we'92re to see in our daily lives: God has shown his loving, warmhearted kindness to us. Therefore, we can wake up shouting, '93Hallelujah! God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit want to be near me.'94

Another blessing becomes ours when we'92re made to sit in heavenly places.

What is this blessing? It'92s the privilege of acceptance: '93He hath made us accepted in the beloved [Christ]'94 (Eph_1:6). The Greek word for '93accepted'94 here means highly favored. That'92s different from the English usage, which can be interpreted to mean '93received as adequate.'94 This signifies something that can be endured, suggesting an attitude of, '93I can live with it.'94 That'92s not the case with Paul'92s Greek usage. His use of '93accepted'94 translates as, '93God has highly favored us. We'92re very special to him, because we'92re in our place in Christ.'94

You see, because God accepted Christ'92s sacrifice, he now sees only one, corporate man: Christ, and those who are bound to him by faith. In short, our flesh has died in God'92s eyes. How? Jesus did away with our old nature at the Cross. So now, when God looks at us, he sees only Christ. In turn, we need to learn to see ourselves as God does. That means not focusing solely on our sins and weaknesses, but on the victory that Christ won for us at the Cross.

The parable of the Prodigal Son provides a powerful illustration of the acceptance that comes when we'92re given a heavenly position in Christ. You know the story: a young man took his inheritance from his father and squandered it on a sinful life. Then, once the son became completely bankrupt '97 morally, emotionally and physically '97 he thought of his father. He was convinced he'92d lost all favor with him. And he feared that his father was full of wrath and hatred toward him.

At one time, this young man had been an honored member of the household, at one with his father. He'92d tasted the blessings, order and favor of being in his father'92s house. Indeed, the prodigal son represents backsliders, those who'92ve failed God miserably.

The prodigal almost died of starvation before he thought about going back home. Yet, finally, when he grew tired of his sinful life, he decided to return to his father. This represents the road to repentance.

When he first left home, his father probably assured him of access to return. Any loving parent would have done so: '93My door is always open to you. And I want you to remember that as you leave now. Know that my heart goes with you. When you get to the end of yourself, please come back. You'92ll always be welcomed home.'94 Here was unimpeded access, a father who was always available. So the prodigal told himself, '93I will arise and go to my father'94 (Luk_15:18). He was exercising his blessing of access.

Now this broken young man was full of grief over his sin. Scripture says he cried out, '93I'92m unworthy, I'92ve sinned against heaven.'94 This represents those who come to repentance through godly sorrow.

Are you getting the picture? The prodigal had turned from his sin, he'92d left the world behind, and he'92d accessed the open door his father had promised him. He was walking in repentance and appropriating access. But he wasn'92t yet in acceptance.

What a tragic place to be. Here was a believer who was walking right, truly sorry for his past sins. He was tired of carrying all his guilt, shame and condemnation. Yet he didn'92t know if he was accepted by his father. He thought, '93My father has to be angry. He probably hates me for squandering all that he gave me. He'92s going to be full of wrath and judgment when I face him.'94

The prodigal must have grown weary as he thought about all the ways he'92d tried to change on his own. He was dog-tired from thinking about how to improve, how to keep himself from falling. He'92d already made a long list of empty promises to himself, only to fall again and again.

Sadly, I believe this is the state of multitudes of believers today. In fact, Jesus gave us this parable in part to open our eyes to our position in him. And he emphasizes, '93If you'92ve seen the Father, you'92ve seen me. I and the Father are one.'94

As the prodigal drew nearer to home, I'92m sure he encountered messengers who told him, '93Your father grieves for you. He calls you '91his lost sheep.'92 He'92s gone out looking for you, time after time.'94 But the young man probably answered, '93I know my father is a loving man. But I'92ve sinned so horribly. If you only knew what I'92ve done.'94

He had no peace, because he didn'92t know his position. How sad to lack the joy of heaven, the peace that passes all understanding, because you don'92t know whether you'92re accepted. Like the prodigal, multitudes of believers who'92ve failed are convinced, '93I'92m not worthy. God can'92t accept me.'94

So, what happened to the prodigal son? '93When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him'94 (Luk_15:20). What a beautiful scene. The sinful son was forgiven, embraced and loved by his father, with no wrath or condemnation whatsoever. When he received his father'92s kiss, he knew he was accepted.

This is where many Christians think the story ends: '93The prodigal has been accepted by his father once again. Isn'92t that what matters most?'94 We picture our own relationship with the Father in the same way. We'92ve known his loving kiss, his mercy and forgiveness. But that'92s as far as we take the relationship. We stop in our knowledge of God'92s love for us.

The fact remains, we'92re still not back inside our Father'92s house yet. We haven'92t taken our seat at his feast. According to Jesus'92 parable, there'92s more, much more. Our Father will never be satisfied until we enjoy all the blessings that come with being accepted by him. He wants us seated in his house, near him at all times, enjoying the festivities and joy of his household.

Indeed, it'92s the father who says, '93Let us eat and be merry'94 (15:23). The Greek word for '93be merry'94 here means, '93to put in a joyful, rejoicing state of mind.'94 Consider the joyful scene that takes place: '93The father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it '85 And they began to be merry '85 [with] music and dancing'94 (15: 22'9625).

Notice what has just happened in this scene. The prodigal wasn'92t asked to dust himself off and get cleaned up before coming to the feast. No, his father prepared him to come inside. And he didn'92t just clean up the old clothes. He gave him a whole new set of clothes, signifying a new life. The son might have objected, '93But father, I'92m not worthy.'94 Yet that father would have replied, '93I'92m not looking at your past. I'92m rejoicing that you are accepting my love. We are reconciled, and we are one. That is my joy.'94

Do you claim to be accepted in Christ? Maybe you'92ve experienced what the prodigal did: being kissed by the Father, embraced by his love, accepted into his house. If so, you probably believe, '93I am seated with Christ in heavenly places.'94 If so, then where is your joy? Where do you see the Father'92s feast in your life, the singing, the dancing, the merriment of heart?

Perhaps the most telling scene in this parable is the final one, when the older brother comes home from work. As the feast takes place inside the house, he stands outside, looking in through the window. To his surprise, he sees his father dancing in delight over his prodigal brother.

Keep in mind, this older brother is also accepted. But the parable makes it clear he'92s sad and miserable. Why? In all his years with his father, he has never entered into the enjoyment of his father'92s house. He'92s never enjoyed the blessings his father has made available to him. In fact, at the end, his father reminds him of the blessings that have been his all along: '93Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine'94 (Luk_15:31).

I ask you: have you experienced the full blessings of your acceptance? Jesus makes it crystal clear we are the joy and delight of our heavenly Father. He rejoices over us. But if we never enter his house and rest in our acceptance, we rob him of that joy.

I urge you: leave your sins and worldly pursuits behind. Lay aside every fleshly weight that so easily besets you. And go inside and take your position in Christ. He has called you to enter into the joy of your acceptance. Then, when you wake up tomorrow, you'92ll find yourself shouting, '93Hallelujah, I'92m accepted by God. My heart abounds with thanksgiving and joy.'94

By: David Wilkerson