Table of Contents
Understanding Our Position: Seated in Christ in Heavenly Places
Welcome back to the Matt on a Mission blog! I’m Matthew Knighton, and today, along with my dear friend Timothy Ashton, we’re diving deep into a truly transformative topic: the profound reality of being seated in Christ in heavenly places. This isn’t just a theological concept; it’s a truth with the power to reshape our identity, purpose, and potential in this life.
Our recent trip to Uganda was a powerful experience, filled with warmth and the collective prayers of our friends worldwide. We are immensely grateful for all your support. That trip further reinforced the core truth we’re exploring today – our spiritual position in Christ.
What Does it Mean to Be “Seated in Heavenly Places”?
Our discussion is rooted in Ephesians 2:6, which states, “And raised up with him and seated us with him in heavenly places in Christ Jesus”. This profound scripture reveals a crucial aspect of our identity as believers: while our physical bodies are here on Earth, perhaps sitting in a chair in an office, spiritually, we are simultaneously seated with Christ in the heavenly realm.
Timothy Ashton emphasized this dual existence, noting that our physical body is seated in one place, but our spiritual body is identified “in Christ” at the Father’s right hand. Jesus, after His resurrection, ascended to heaven and is seated at the Father’s right hand, and the Bible states that when we believe in Christ, we are in Him at the Father’s right hand, seated with Him. This is not a religious fantasy but a present reality of our identity in Christ Jesus.
The Profound Implications of Our Heavenly Perspective
Understanding this divine seating has immense practical implications for our daily lives:
- Identity and Favor: Being in Jesus at the Father’s right hand means we are in the favor, righteousness, power, and authority of Jesus. Our identity is secure in Christ, and we are accepted in the beloved.
- Authority Over the Enemy: Our seating position is “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion”. This means that principalities, powers, and the enemy are far below us spiritually speaking. As Jesus said, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (Luke 10:18). Therefore, we should never look up to the enemy but always look down, knowing he is a defeated foe.
- Power in Prayer: With the revelation of where we are in heaven, the name of Jesus becomes incredibly powerful in our prayers. When we pray in Jesus’ name, we are praying from our heavenly position and the authority delegated to us. This grants power, authority, rule, and dominion to our prayers.
- Living a Heaven-Conscious Life: Instead of living purely earth-consciously, we should live heaven-conscious. Our treasure should be in heaven, influencing how we think and act. This amazing truth puts us in two places at one time – here on Earth and in heaven.
- Every Spiritual Blessing: Because we are seated in Christ, we are “blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). This means we receive wisdom from heaven, favor, divine supply, protection, health, and prosperity – everything Jesus suffered and died to provide.
- Abundant “Zoe” Life: Jesus came so we might have life, and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). This is not just eternal life for the future, but a “Zoe life” – the God kind of life – for today. We are not meant to settle for “just enough” but to live this abundant life now.
- Empowered for God’s Work: The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work within us. We receive power when we receive the Holy Spirit, enabling us to do things we couldn’t do before. This empowers us to be doers of the word, to preach the gospel, cast out demons, lay hands on the sick, and even raise the dead. Our faith should be a dynamic force, not just an intellectual exercise.
Embracing Our Divine Purpose
Being seated in Christ is not a passive state. It’s an invitation to actively engage with the power and authority of Jesus in every aspect of life. We are equipped to face challenges, affect positive change, and ultimately bring glory to God.
Our identity in Christ grants us boldness and confidence in our faith. We should not make excuses, for “we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us”. What we start producing through this understanding isn’t merely an earthly work, but a heavenly work with an eternal impact – treasures in heaven that glorify the Lord Jesus Christ through all generations.
We pray that as you read this, you are stirred to fully embrace your identity in Christ. Let this revelation energize your faith, prompting you to live out your divine purpose with boldness and confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions: Seated in Christ in Heavenly Places
This FAQ addresses common questions about the transformative truth of being seated in Christ in heavenly places.
What does “seated in Christ in heavenly places” mean?
It means that while our physical bodies are here on Earth (perhaps sitting in an office chair), spiritually, we are simultaneously seated with Christ in the heavenly realm. Jesus, after His resurrection, ascended to heaven and is seated at the Father’s right hand, and the Bible states that when we believe in Christ, we are in Him at the Father’s right hand, seated with Him. This is a present reality of our identity in Christ Jesus, not just a future hope or a religious fantasy.
Where does this concept come from in the Bible?
The core scripture for this powerful truth is Ephesians 2:6, which states, “And raised up with him and seated us with him in heavenly places in Christ Jesus”. Other scriptures like Ephesians 1:3 and 1:18-21 also provide foundational understanding for this concept.
How can I be in two places at once (physically on Earth, spiritually in heaven)?
This is a profound spiritual reality that means we are in two places at one time. While our physical body is seated in one location on Earth, our spiritual body is identified “in Christ” at the Father’s right hand in heaven. We are simultaneously here on Earth as His representatives and spiritually seated with Him in the heavenly realms.
What are the practical implications or benefits of understanding this truth?
Understanding our heavenly position has immense practical implications for our daily lives:
Identity and Favor: Being in Jesus at the Father’s right hand means we are in the favor, righteousness, power, and authority of Jesus. Our identity is secure in Christ, and we are accepted in the beloved.
Heaven-Conscious Living: It encourages us to live heaven-conscious instead of purely earth-conscious, influencing how we think and act and to build treasures in heaven.
Every Spiritual Blessing: We are “blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3), including wisdom, favor, divine supply, protection, health, and prosperity.
Abundant Life (Zoe Life): Jesus came so we might have life, and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). This is a “Zoe life” – the God kind of life – for today, not just eternal life for the future.
Boldness and Confidence: This understanding grants us boldness and confidence in our faith, transforming it from an intellectual exercise into a dynamic force.
Does this mean I have authority over evil?
Yes! Because Jesus is seated “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion,” and because we are seated with Him, we are also spiritually above these powers. This means we should never look up to the enemy, but always look down, knowing he is a defeated foe. Jesus saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven, and this authority, which Jesus Himself had, has been delegated to us to speak to powers of darkness, cast out demons, and have authority over sickness, weather, and even governments.
How does this affect my prayer life?
Understanding our heavenly position makes prayer incredibly powerful. We don’t have to shout to God, as we are spiritually at His right hand. The name of Jesus carries unparalleled authority on Earth, and when we pray in Jesus’ name, we are praying from our heavenly position and the authority delegated to us. This grants power, authority, rule, and dominion to our prayers.
What is “Zoe life”?
“Zoe life” is the “God kind of life” or “abundant life” that Jesus came to give us. It signifies a full and rich life meant to be experienced here on Earth, not just eternal life for the future.
How does this empower me to do God’s work?
We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to do things we couldn’t do before. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work within us, enabling us to be “doers of the word”. This empowers us to preach the gospel, cast out demons, lay hands on the sick, and even raise the dead, actively participating in God’s mission on Earth. We should not make excuses, as “we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us”.
Scripture References
- Ephesians 2:6
- Ephesians 3
- Ephesians 1:18-21
- Ephesians 1:3
- Luke 10:18
- John 10:10
- James (Book of): The general concept of “James said it this way you can say you have faith or you can show you have faith” is mentioned, emphasizing being a doer of the word.
- Acts (Book of): The disciples receiving the Holy Spirit and being empowered to do things they couldn’t do before is referenced, along with signs, miracles, and wonders happening in the lives of the apostles and other believers.
- Ezekiel (Book of): Satan’s fall and his initial beauty are mentioned in relation to Luke 10:18.
- Revelation (Book of): Heaven is described in this book
