Saturday, January 28, 2012

Reflections on "My Utmost" January 28 -- Addendum

Whenever we are obstinate and self-willed and set upon our own ambitions, we are hurting Jesus.

Why are we obstinate, self-willed, demanding our own way?

Do we not realize that we sit in high places with Christ?

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

"Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2: 4-6)

And what do we know about Jesus' exalted state of honor, sitting at the right hand of the Father?:

"And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

"And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2: 13-15)

Jesus Christ has made us alive in Him. We died with Him, now we are raised with Him, by faith in His Finished Work. He has forever blotted out the Law, which was deadset against us, as none of us can keep the Law. We are free of the condemnation that the law brings, which Satan and his minions had used against us, for Jesus satisfied the righteousness of God and the demands of the Law by dying for our sins.

All principalities and power are under Jesus' feet"

"He [God the Father] wrought [great power -- see v 18-19] in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

"Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come" (Ephesians 1: 20-21)

No matter what may be bothering you, it is already a defeated foe:

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12)

These forces are under His feet, and since we sit in high places with Him, these enemies are under out feet, as well!

Why are we stressed about ambitions, then? His Spirit works in us, He has promoted us far above all trials and troubles, and He supplies all our needs:

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8: 31-32)

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