BELIEVERS’ INHERITANCE IN CHRIST! - PART 2.

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY MAY 01, 2022.

SUBJECT: BELIEVERS’ INHERITANCE IN CHRIST! - PART 2.

Memory verse: "And raised us together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2 vs 6.)

READ: Ephesians 1 vs 17 - 23:

1:17: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,

1:18: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

1:19: and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to working of His mighty power

1:20: which He worked in Christ when He raised Him up from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

1:21: far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

1:22: And He has put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,

1:23: which His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

INTIMATION:

In the first three chapters of Paul's epistle to the church in Ephesus, he enumerated the consummation of Christ's substitutionary work regarding Satan and his cohorts —the demons. His heart intent is that we come to the full knowledge of what we are in Christ.

In the passage we read today, the apostle Paul prayed for the believers in Ephesus, and the prayer is applicable to all believers to this day. Paul prays that our eyes be opened or enlightened, that we may know what is the richness of the glory of Jesus’ inheritance in the saints—in the substitutionary work accomplished for us believers, and what the exceeding greatness of His ability on our behalf who believe.

He clearly stated that, it is according to that working of the strength of the Mightiness of God, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him up from the among dead.

He declares the same ability that wrought in the dead body of Jesus when He was raised to immortality, is at work in us. Yes, undoubtedly so, because the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is indwelling us by grace (unmerited favor) of God.

Now see how the apostle Paul made known this fact to the saints in Rome; "And if the Spirit of Him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall also quicken (or heal or strengthen) your mortal bodies." (Romans 8 vs 11). The heart can hardly take it in that the same might, the same ‘Resurrection Power’ that wrought in the dead body of Jesus is ours today. That same Spirit that embodied the power is indwelling us today, and with the same power. 

Now, consider deeply the mystery in our memory verse, "And raised us together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Reconcile it with this, "And He made Him to sit at His right hand in the heavenlies, far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come." An everlasting authority, isn't it?

You must always keep in mind that we were raised together with Him, and He made us to sit with Him in the heavenlies; so representatively, we are seated on the Throne with Christ, and all the authority in His seat, and position, is made available to us seated with Him. And He also has given us the “power of attorney” to the use of His great name. 

Remember, Jesus Christ is the head of the body. The body and the head are one entity. We are members of the body—the church. So if the head is exalted, the body is exalted with it. If He has been given all authority, that authority belongs to His body—the church, for its benefit. If He conquered all the forces of darkness and left them paralyzed and broken before He arose from the dead, it is as though we had accomplished the mighty work. It is reckoned to our credit.

Notice carefully the 22nd and 23rd verses:

"And He has put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." We are His body, therefore, all these malignant, wicked influences are beneath our feet. We have been made masters of them all. He did not defeat them for Himself, but for us. He did not fight that battle for His glory, but for our good. 

This knowledge should become as common to us, and as usable as the multiplication table. And when this is done, ‘Believers’ will spend less or no time glorying the devil, instead of using the time to glorify Jesus Christ for His triumph over Satan and his cohorts, on our behalf. If you embrace this truth, you will hardly give the devil any room to minister his usual lies to you because, by God's grace, you have known what you are in Christ!

The big question still remains, “When will the hearts of all Christians embrace this ‘Truth,’ and their minds become fruitful with this mighty unveiling of what we are in Christ?” 

Prayer: Abba Father, all that is within and in me is thanking and praising You for Your unparalleled love for me, and the riches of the glory of my inheritance in Christ. Endue me continually with the spirit of wisdom and revelation of the knowledge, and understanding of You, and to know the hope of Your calling, in Jesus’ most wonderful Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!