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Seated with Him Already,

But We Still Need to "Come"

In one sense, we are already with Him in the throne room of God. At the point of salvation, the Bible says we were raised up and are now seated with Christ in the heavenlies (Eph. 2:6). This verse, however, is speaking only in terms of our legal position with Christ. Reality for most of us, is that we just aren’t that close to God. In other words, our experience needs to catch up to our status with Him.

So in one sense, we are already with Christ in the heavenlies. Yet in another sense, on a practical level, most of us have not yet "entered" the throne room of God. The Bible says, "Since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus...let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith" (Heb. 10:19, 22). After salvation and before physical death, the act of entering the throne room is something we are to do by a simple and yet fully convinced act of faith. Are you before the Lord when you pray? In one sense you are, but in another sense the Bible says we have to "enter in." This principle should not be ignored. The Bible says, "let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16). Drawing near is something you do by an act of faith in God’s provision to have made a way for you to enter. It is by a fully convinced confidence in God, not by confidence in yourself.

One of the main themes in the book of Hebrews is our confident access into the throne room to stand before the Lord. Hebrews 12 is a familiar passage to many Christians. But, I think many seem to miss the point. Most of us just don’t take it literally enough. You can learn to fix your eyes on Jesus who is sitting, "...at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2). To do that, we have to be there!

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus...who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1,2)

The "great cloud of witnesses" refers to the Old Testament saints spoken of in chapter 11 of Hebrews who have all died and are in heaven. Since this passage says they ‘surround’ us, where would you have to be? You would have to enter and stand before the Lord of Heaven just like they are. Your access to God is much more literal than most Christians dare to believe.

The quality of your access to God is intense. As a Christian, your access to the Father is even better than the Old Testament priests. You have access to stand before the Lord of glory is anywhere, anytime. You have been called by God to come out of darkness and into His marvelous light: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9). Now, you have an option. You can keep a verse like this on a heady-theological level. Or, you can apply it. Doing so means that because God is Light (1 John 1:5), you cannot walk into the Light unless you believe your access to the Father is real. Let me remind you again that "we...receive the promise of the Spirit by faith" (Gal. 3:14b). This is why it is so important for us to consider the scriptures. Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Rom. 10:17).

Even though you are already seated with Christ in the heavenlies (Eph. 2:6), it is vital that you avoid ignore the many scriptures telling that you should enter and draw near to the Lord. The apostle Paul wrote, "Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God" (Col. 3:1). Though you have already been raised up with Christ, you shouldn’t stop seeking things above—where Christ is.

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I am praying for the Lord's abundant blessing on your efforts to direct your heart toward Him.

Barry.

  Come and Drink — Continued...

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(C) Barry Hall 1999

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