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"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the
world-forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians
6:12 (NIV)
The entire book of Ephesians is probably the most important "handbook" for living a victorious life,
for understanding our position in Christ, and for waging war on the enemy. Watchman Nee wrote a commentary on the
book of Ephesians called Sit, Walk, Stand. Using some of the illustrations from his book, we will understand better
the foundations of Christian living.
Sitting
Ephesians 1-3 focuses on our position in Christ and our relationship with God and what He has done to forgive
and reconcile us. These chapters are full of declarations of who we are based on what God has done.
God has "blessed us with every spiritual blessing"
He "chose us in Him before the foundation of the world"
He "predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself"
He "lavished" his grace on us
In Him we have "redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses"
"He made known to us the mystery of His will"
"We have obtained an inheritance"
We were "sealed in Him"
We were dead but God has made us "alive together with Christ"
He washed us and has forgiven us
We have been saved "by grace..and that not of ourselves..not
as a result of works, that no one should boast"
Once separated and far off, we "have been brought near by the blood of Christ"
Christ is "our peace" and through Him we have "access in one Spirit to the Father"
We are "no longer strangers" but "fellow-citizens...and are of God's household"
We are recipients of all these wonderful benefits of God which ends up making us sit "with Him in the heavenly
places." In actuality, Christianity is not just believing in a set of doctrines written on a piece of paper,
but it is living out what we believe. We must embrace the truths in the Bible, believe them, and learn to sit with
God.
Being seated speaks of three things. (1) It speaks of reigning. "Those who receive the abundance of grace
and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the one Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:17). We are meant
to reign in life. We must ask ourselves: Are we reigning, or are we slaves to our circumstances and the attacks
of the enemy?
Being seated also speaks of (2) a finished work. We only sit after the work is completed. God is saying through
Ephesians that the work is already done to make us what we need to be -- it is a finished work. Having completed
the work of atonement, having defeated the devil, having spoiled all principalities and powers, having established
Himself as the reigning King of Kings, Jesus took His rightful place and sat down. We, too, need to take our rightful
place, the place won for us by our Lord, and sit down. Our salvation is complete; our authority over the enemy
has been won ("And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power" Colossians
2:10).
Finally being seated speaks of (3) being in a relaxed position. Relaxing is the natural response when a job is
completed. When we are convinced that nothing can undo the completed work, we can relax. No more worry, stress,
just know that we are kept by the power of God, that we are saved and secure in Christ, being seated with Him in
the heavenly places -- relaxed!
Walking
Ephesians 4:1-9 is the second major section of this epistle. Paul explains the responsibilities of the believer
to act according to the will and Word of God. Once we have learned to sit in Christ, we need to learn to walk.
As Christians we know that we are saved and sanctified, but we must live through the Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays,
Thursdays, and Fridays. As a matter of fact the same Bible that tells us "it is not as a result of works that
no one should boast", it also says:
"Walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called."
"Lay aside the old self..and put on the new self."
"Do not let the sun go down on your anger."
"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth."
"Let all bitterness...be put away from you."
In other words, the Bible calls us to action...responsible action. We've all heard the arguments surrounding "works"
versus "faith". We need to stop arguing and realize that both positions are true; they just reflect two
different dimensions of the Christian life. There is NOTHING we can do to gain the gifts of forgiveness and salvation.
There is NOTHING we can add to the works of Christ on the cross. He has done what He has done, and we can only
accept it or reject it. We cannot gain admission or acceptance on the basis of our efforts. We cannot make God's
work more complete. We can only sit with Him. But once we have accepted our position in Christ, we must WALK in
a manner worthy of the foundation which was laid by Christ. It is our responsibility to do everything in our power
to serve Him; to walk in obedience, to walk in the light, to walk in the Spirit. Though we sit in the heavenly
places because of what God has done, we must act and behave in a responsible manner worthy of our position in Christ.
We must WALK.
Standing
The final section we'll talk about is Ephesians 6:10-20, the "stand" section. It is at this point
we are instructed to "finally" take our stand against the enemy. We will never be able to stand confidently
and resolutely against the powers of darkness if we are not first secure in our salvation. Unless we are seated
and relaxed before the Lord, knowing who we are in Christ and trusting in the wonderful grace of God which is able
to keep us from falling; and unless we are walking in a clean conscience; we will not be able to stand against
evil powers.
Very often we have it backwards: we attempt to stand and contend to keep our salvation and we are seated and relaxed
when it comes to the powers of darkness.
God calls us to lay aside the old self and to put on the new self. This is as easy to understand as putting on
and taking off our clothes. It is responsible action. We're all used to acting and choosing appropriately in other
matters: we brush our teeth regularly and we change the oil in our car when needed. Putting on the new self is
another daily responsibility, a right choice. It is NOT works, it is simply our proper response to God and all
that He has done for us.
Until we are relaxed and confident of our salvation; until we "walk in a manner worthy of the calling with
which you have been called" (taking care of business on a daily basis), we will never be able to consistently
stand before the enemy. But when we are, we are in a position to stand.
When we are finally able to STAND, SIT and WALK at the same time, then we are prepared to move on and defeat the
powers of darkness. We can "finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might." It is
at this point that we are ready for spiritual warfare.
Items for Discussion:
- What are some of the tell-tale signs of not being "relaxed" about my position with Christ?
- What does it mean to walk in a "clean conscience"?
- When am I "standing" and when am I "relaxed"?
- How can we make "sitting, walking and standing" a practical reality in our lives?
- Describe a Christian who is "strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might".
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