I want to ask you a question. Where are you right now? Physically, you are where you are. But spiritually? Where are you spiritually?
If you are a believer, the answer might surprise you. Paul writes:
"God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus."
Ephesians 2:6He raised us up. And he seated us. Both past tense. Both already done. We are not waiting to be seated. We are already seated.
With Christ. In heavenly realms. Right now.
What Does It Mean to Be Seated
In the ancient world, seating was significant. When you were seated, you were in a position of authority and honor. You were not standing at attention. You were not waiting. You were at rest. You were established.
When Scripture says we are seated with Christ, it means we are in a position of authority. We are not waiting for something to happen. We are not hoping to get somewhere someday. We are already there.
The word seated here is sunkathizo, which means to cause to sit down, to place in a seat of authority. This is not a passive position. This is a position of power and authority, already given to us in Christ.
Already, Not Someday
Here is the thing that blows my mind. This is not a future promise. This is present reality.
We tend to think about heaven as somewhere we will go someday. We think about the resurrection as something that will happen at the end of time. We think about our position in Christ as something we will experience when we get to heaven.
But Paul says we are already raised up. We are already seated. The future has already broken into the present.
This is not metaphorical. This is not spiritual jargon. This is real. You, right now, in this moment, are seated with Christ in heavenly realms.
Why This Matters
Now, I know what you might be thinking. If I am already seated with Christ in heavenly realms, why does my life still feel like a struggle? Why do I still face challenges? Why do I still feel far from God sometimes?
Good questions. And here is the answer. Your position and your experience are not the same thing. You have been given a position of authority. But you are still learning to walk in it. You have been given a throne. But you are still learning to sit in it.
The victory is already won. But you are still learning to live in the victory.
You Are Already There
Close your eyes and imagine it. You, sitting with Christ, in heavenly places. Not someday. Now. The King of the universe has invited you to sit with Him. You are not standing outside. You are not waiting at the door. You are seated. Right now. That is who you are.
Walking in Your Position
So how do we walk in this? How do we live like we are seated with Christ?
First, we recognize it is already ours. We stop waiting to feel like we belong. We start from the position that we already belong.
Second, we exercise the authority that comes with it. We pray with confidence. We stand on Scripture. We speak with the authority that is ours in Christ.
Third, we live from a position of rest, not striving. If we are already seated, we do not need to earn anything. We do not need to prove anything. We can rest in who we are in Christ.
"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess."
Hebrews 4:14You are seated. You are established. You are secure. Now live like it.
Father, thank you that I am already seated with Christ in heavenly realms. Help me to live in the reality of this position, to pray with confidence, and to rest in the authority you have given me. Teach me to walk in what is already mine. In Jesus Name, Amen.
With honesty and hope,
Claire