"But God, who is rich in mercy . . . hath raised us up together, and made us sit . . . in heavenly places." Ephesians 2:4,6
The believer is already seated in heaven - in Christ. As members of His Body (Ephesians 5:30), we have been crucified with Christ, (Galatians 2:20), quickened with Christ (Ephesians 2:5), and positionally in Christ are already seated in the heavenlies. As such the believer is safe from condemnation (Romans 8:1) and has eternal life (John 5:24); and this we have in Christ. In our walk we are still imperfect, but in Christ, God sees us as already in heaven. We are therefore lifted above the judgment of condemnation forever.
Recently on a flight to Boston we passed over a severe thunderstorm. Riding at an altitude of about 20,000 feet, we had a wonderful view of the great rolling thunder clouds towering in the sky. Below us was a sea of clouds - we could see the jagged streaks of lightning leaping from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth. It was an awesome sight. I found myself wondering what would happen if that lightning struck the plane. Then I remembered that lightning always strikes down - not up, and we were above the storm. We were riding in the sunlight, above the storm, in perfect safety from the crashing, flashing thunderbolts. Only those below the storm were in danger.
So it is with the believer in Christ. He is not under judgment but above condemnation. He lives above the storm of God's wrath, in the sunshine of God's promise in John 10:28, 29. I must confess I was at first a bit fearful as I saw the storm so close by, until I remembered lightning is dangerous to those under the cloud, but harmless to those above it. Our Pilot has taken us through - and safely! This is our blessed assurance!
"Bread For Each Day"
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