But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7
Throne life.
It’s a term I borrowed from Wesley Duewel, author of, among others, the book “Mighty Prevailing Prayer,” which I am rereading at the moment to give a fresh impetus to my prayer life.
In the book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul calls us to maintain three different positions simultaneously:
Sit (Ch. 2:6)
Walk (Ch. 4:1)
Stand. (Ch. 6:13-14)
Very peculiar. And very important. Watchman Nee even used those three words as a commentary on the whole book of Ephesians and famously titled his book “Sit. Walk. Stand.”
How is it possible to maintain three different postures at the same time? In the physical realm, it isn’t. You can’t sit, walk around, and stand all at the same time. But in the spiritual realm, you can, and it’s essential for a balanced spiritual life.
It begins with sitting. We are seated with Christ in the heavenly places. Christ, as you know, is seated on the throne. So, seated with Him means we share in His reign. The full measure of our reign with Him does not happen till He returns to inaugurate the millennium (see 2 Timothy 2:12 and Revelation 20:4-6).
Meanwhile, on this side of heaven and before the return of Christ, we share in His reign on earth. We, after all, are His ambassadors, His representatives through whom He administers His authority over sin, Satan, and death. That is reflected in the Great Commission, which is still in force today and of which all believers are very much a part. As we know from Matthew 28:19, it is rooted in Christ’s authority.
In practical terms, the administration of His reign through us, His Redeemed, includes several things:
- Being free from the dominion of sin. The reign of sin has been replaced by the reign of the Holy Spirit. (see Romans 6:12-14)
- Being more than conquerors through Christ (see Romans 8:37).
- Being equipped with everything good to do His will (see Hebrews 13:21). We are not just out there on our own representing Jesus in whichever way we see fit. There is a constant flow of vision and empowerment from above that enables us to carry out His kingdom purposes.
- Overcoming evil with good (see Romans 12:21). Light conquers darkness. Good conquers evil. Love conquers hate. They are eternal principles instituted by God, and they flow through us to impact the world around us.
- Having a faith that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4). A faith that comes from being born of God – an other-worldly faith that conquers doubt, fear, hopelessness, and everything the world’s beliefs and systems throw at people. The faith we carry comes from God, and if we consistently feed it, it is indestructible.
- Living in our true identity of being a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people of God’s own possession to proclaim His excellencies (see 1 Peter 2:9). ‘Nuf said.
- Living as sojourners and exiles, without emotional attachment to this world as our home is in heaven, our love is for Christ, and our desires center on His kingdom (see 1 Peter 2:10-11).
- Being engaged in the Great Commission, which is rooted in His authority conferred upon us (see Matthew 28:19). Its completion heralds His return and the fullness of our reign with Him.
This is to be an everyday reality for us. Even in the mundane, nitty-gritty, and sometimes grinding routines of our daily life on earth.
How do we live out this “throne life?”
We remember that Christ has complete authority over all our daily circumstances, highs and lows, problems, pains, and even our relationships. Everything! Psalm 139:16 suggests that He pre-ordained all our days. Not just their number, but also what happens in them.
He invites us to step into what he has already ordained, and then administer His authority to every task, every problem, every event, by involving Him in them through prayer.
Visiting a friend? Pray that God works His blessing through you to encourage that friend and that you may receive encouragement as well. Stuck in traffic? Perfect time to pray and seek the presence of God. Got a nettly problem at work? God is all-knowing. Seek His insight and wisdom and thereby take authority over that problem instead of letting it take authority over (i.e., stump) you! And the list goes on.
Throne life – it’s God’s intention for you to live it. Make it humbly yours today, recognizing that it is not a life of privilege and entitlement because the One Whose throne we share emptied Himself and made Himself nothing. It is a life of quiet, humble, spiritual power that gives its bearer joy, peace, and freedom to share with the world.
Stay tuned for more on walking and standing!
Photo credit: Karl Hedin/Unsplash
