Ephesians 2:1-10 (KJVS)
[1] And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; [2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: [3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. [4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, [5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) [6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: [7] That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast. [10] For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
What would you say of someone who receives a birthday gift with three items inside, but only opens the first item and isn’t aware that there are two other items, and then proceeds unknowingly to throw the bag away into the garbage or recycle bin, with the two other items inside? What would you say?
One thing is sure: you will be sad for such a person. But unfortunately, such is the case for some of us believers. God packaged a birthday gift for us at the new birth (when we became born-again), and the gift contains three levels of new creation possibilities, but most Christians tend to dwell on only one. And even the one we dwell on we don’t maximize it to the fullest.
What are the three levels we have been gifted?
They are: Quickened, Raised and Seated. Ephesians 2:4-6 says:
“[4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, [5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) [6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”
This passage tells us that God has quickened us, raised us, and made us sit together with Christ Jesus. The emphasis on “together with Christ Jesus” shows that to appreciate the experience of each of these three levels (quickened, raised, and seated) we should look at Jesus, just as Hebrews 12:2 says “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith …”. It is by looking at Jesus that we see a witness of what it means to live out these three levels.
What does it mean to be quickened?
It means “to make alive”. Verse 1 of our text (Ephesians 2) points to this as well, saying: “And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins”. The passage is saying that when we were unbelievers (before we became born-again) we were dead in sins. Dead because the sin had cut us off from communion with God who is the source of life. As such, to be quickened (to be made alive) means to be free from sin; which is why Romans 6:14 says “For sin shall not have dominion over you: …”.
That is, if a person who is living in sin is considered to be dead, then a person who is alive (who is quickened) is one who is living a sin-free life. In other words, the first level of birthday gift that God gave us (when we became born-again) is the enablement to live a sin-free life. Did you know this? Did you know you have received the gift of the ability to live a sin-free life? That is the first level – Quickened! The second level of the gift is Raised.
What does it mean to be raised?
It means “to rouse from (mortal) death”. The emphasis here is on mortality. That is, whereas “quickened” refers to a life free from sin, “raised” refers to a life free from sicknesses and diseases: a life of supernatural health, not affected by the elements or by aging, etc. Such is the life our Lord Jesus demonstrated while He was on earth. It is a life where you can’t find cancer, migraine, diabetes, covid, etc. A life that does not get weak with age, but maintains an excellent level of health; a life free from the woes of mortality. 2 Timothy 1:9-10 says:
“[9] Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, [10] But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:”
God, through Jesus Christ, has abolished death (and the dying process, which includes sicknesses, etc), and has opened the way for us to experience immortality (a life free from the signatures of death). Did you know this? Did you know that you have been raised up from a life of mortality to a life free from sicknesses, diseases and death? Did you know that you are to enjoy perfect health? That is the second level of the gift – Raised! The third level is Seated.
What does it mean to be seated?
It means to sit on the throne. The concept of sitting is related to the throne; sitting on the throne. Ephesians 2:6 says “… and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”. And Ephesians 1:20-22 speaking of how God resurrected Jesus says:
“[20] … He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, [21] 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: [22] And hath put all things under His feet, …”.
These are the heavenly places that God has made us to sit also. It is an authority level far above all principalities and powers of darkness. From that point, we are to be able to make decrees and rule on earth with heavenly authority to establish the will of God (in individual lives, communities and even nations), and to pave the way for the Kingdom of God to be established. Our Lord Jesus said in Luke 10:19,
“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
With this power and authority (the authority of God’s throne) we are to bring about a testimony of victory over all works of darkness by bringing deliverances to people. 2 Corinthians 2:14 says:
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place.”
Did you know this? Did you know that God has ordained you to be a king and a priest, as said in Revelation 1:6? Did you know that you have been gifted with heavenly authority to establish the dominion of Christ in every situation? Did you know that anywhere you see the works of darkness (as oppression, as lies, as deceit, as sicknesses, as death, as wickedness, as sin (in thoughts or in doings), etc) you have been given heavenly power and authority to subdue the enemy and display the savour of God’s glory? That is the third level of the birthday gift you received when you became born-again – Seated!
How much of your gift have you opened?
Prayer for today:
Father, please help me to make use of all that You have given me in Christ Jesus. Help me to live a sin-free life because you have quickened me. Help me to live a sickness-free life because you have raised me. Help me to live a life of heavenly authority because you have caused me to sit in heavenly places. Let my life through these gifts you have given me make known the sweet savour of your goodness to all those around me, both far and near. Blessed be your Holy name O God. In Jesus name, Amen.
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