Seated with Christ: The Ultimate Invitation from Ephesians 2

Ezekiel 19-20; Ephesians 2; Proverbs 23

One of the most profound truths that has ever dawned upon my soul comes from Ephesians 2. And my prayer for you today is that what has so captured me will capture your heart as well.

Most times, the Gospel is preached as a history lesson only. We recount the historicity of Jesus and what He accomplished on the cross without ever preaching the invitation. But the Gospel is both historical fact AND an invitation to enter into that once and for all truth. When we see it as both, and then when we enter into it, we are transformed.

I believe this is a daily, perhaps even moment-by-moment, invitation.

Let’s look at these verses together:

Ephesians 2:
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

First things first, you and I come into this Gospel with nothing to offer. We approached it as sinners. We, meaning all of us, started out alienated and disobedient.

For many years, I wanted to gloss over this part so I could get to the good part, but looking back, I realize that was a mistake. How we come in determines whether we can fully enter. We must be under no illusion that we have gained entry to this kind of relating to God because of our own merit. Nothing we have done or will do could ever qualify us for this invitation.

So, painful as it is, bring yourself to remembrance of this truth. We started out with a corrupt nature. We started out as enemies of God.

And now what?

And now, look at this:

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

Not because of anything we have done, but because of God’s wonderful mercy and love, He has made us alive together in Christ. Resurrection Sunday has come early for us in this passage!

Friends, whatever you are going through today, whatever it is, set it aside and look at this. You are dearly loved. So much so, that the same Spirit that brought Jesus back to life from the dead lives and is operating in you. You are not the walking dead. You’ve come out of zombiehood, and you have been made alive.

For me, the best part comes next. This next sentence brings understanding about what this new life is about for us.

6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
We are dimensional beings. Until Christ, we were cut off, like our parents before us, from the realm of God. When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, the relationship to God and the dimension of His heavenly kingdom were separated. Death crept in and corrupted our nature, and not only ours. All of creation has been groaning ever since, waiting for the sons of God to be revealed.

And then suddenly! We were reconciled and brought close. Suddenly we were alive again, connected to His heart and that realm where we once dwelled in the cool of the garden with Him in those days when heaven and earth were one. Suddenly we are seated with Christ.

My friends, you are here, and you are there. You now sit above all powers and principalities. Talk about good news. You have been placed, divinely set, on the throne of Jesus. Hallelujah! Glory to God!!

What’s next?

7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Looking ahead, we embrace the promise of God’s unwavering kindness and grace. We stand in hopeful expectation, confident that His love will usher in the answers to our prayers. Moreover, we look forward with excitement to walking the paths God has thoughtfully laid before us, fulfilling the divine plans He has designed for each of us.

Like I said, nothing but Good News!

Deepening Faith: Reflective Journal Prompts

1. Reflecting on Transformation: Consider how the truth of Ephesians 2, that we are made alive in Christ, impacts your understanding of transformation. How does recognizing yourself as “made alive” change the way you approach daily challenges and opportunities?
2. The Invitation of the Gospel: The Gospel is described as both a historical fact and an invitation. Reflect on the moment you accepted this invitation. How has this acceptance transformed your life, and how do you continually respond to this invitation in your daily walk with God?
3. Identifying with Sinners: Ephesians 2 reminds us that we all start as sinners, alienated from God. Reflect on the humility this truth brings. How does it influence your approach to sharing the Gospel with others and living out your faith?
4. Alive and Seated with Christ: Meditate on the reality that, in Christ, you are seated in heavenly places far above powers and principalities. How does this spiritual positioning affect your perspective on earthly struggles and spiritual warfare?
5. Walking in Prepared Good Works: Ephesians 2:10 tells us we are created for good works, prepared in advance for us to walk in. Reflect on the good works you feel God has prepared specifically for you. How can you more intentionally pursue these paths, trusting in His preparation and timing?

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