RAISED INTO HEAVENLY REALMS

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:1-7, NKJV)

Devotion 1 of 16

INTRODUCTION

     What God has accomplished in Christ Jesus has no parallel, either in time or principle. It is so great that even those identified with Christ have scarcely touched the borders of the "garments of salvation" (Isa 61:10).

      Two things are exceedingly difficult for the human mind to grasp. First, the exceedingly great depths to which man has fallen. Sin has wreaked more havoc in humanity than the most astute thinker has dared to imagine. Second, however, the extent to which the Lord has gone to save us tends to elude men. This series will deal with that extent, showing that we have been elevated more highly in Jesus than is ordinarily perceived.

THE PROPHETS FORETOLD A COMING CHANGE

The holy Prophets foretold a coming era of change – one in which the condition of men would be dramatically modified. Blind men would see out of obscurity and darkness (Isa 29:18), and deaf men would hear the words of God's book (Isa 29:18). The tongues of stammerers would be ready to speak plainly (Isa 32:4), and the heart of the hasty would understand the truth (Isa 32:4). The lame man would leap like a young deer, and the tongue of the dumb would sing (Isa 35:6). Stony hearts would be removed, hearts of flesh would be given, and God would put His Spirit within them (Ezek 36:26). God's would put His Law into men's "inward parts," and write it "in their hearts" (Jer 31:33).

What marvelous changes the Prophets proclaimed. They were so challenging that they "sought to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow" (1 Pet 1:10). The wonderful benefits they foretold were "the glories that should follow." I am afraid they have been significantly understated in the average church.

THE GLORIOUS TRANSITION

    The transition that is made by those who are born again is staggering. They have "passed  FROM death UNTO life" (John 5:24; 1 John 3:14). They have moved FROM alienation (Eph 4:18) TO reconciliation (Col 1:20). Marvelously, in Christ we are changed FROM being enemies (Rom 5:10) TO sons of God (1 John 3:1-2).

      Those in Christ Jesus are shifted FROM not being a people TO being the people of God (1 Pet 2:10a). They make the transition FROM not obtaining mercy TO obtaining it (1 Pet 2:10b). Believers are "delivered FROM the power of darkness and translated INTO the kingdom of God's dear Son" (Col 1:13). They are moved FROM darkness "INTO His marvelous light" (1 Pet 2:9).

      Once they WERE "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph 2:1), but NOW they are made alive together with Christ (Eph 2:5). They WERE "enemies in their minds by wicked works" (Col 1:21), but NOW serve the law of God with their minds (Rom 7:25). Once they WERE "held" by the Law in a state of spiritual death, but NOW they are "delivered from the Law" (Rom 7:6). Before, they WERE guilty of the most despicable sins, but NOW they are "washed," "sanctified," and "justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor 6:10-11).

      FORMERLY their ways and thoughts were not those of God (Isa 55:8-9), but NOW His law is written on their hearts and put into their minds (Heb 10:16). They were ONCE as sheep going astray, but have "NOW returned to the Chief Shepherd and Bishop of their souls" (1 Pet 2:25). In the PAST they had "no hope" (Eph 2:12), but have NOW been begotten to a "living hope" (1 Pet 1:3). In PRIOR times they "without God" (Eph 2:12), but NOW God dwells within them (1 John 4:15).

      Those in Christ were ONCE "aliens from the commonwealth of Israel," but are NOW "fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God" (Eph 2:19). Think of it! Before, we WERE "afar off," but have NOW "made nigh" (Eph 2:17). We WERE "cursed" (Gal 3:10), but are NOW blessed" (Gal 3:9). The wrath of God WAS abiding upon us (John 3:36), but NOW we are "accepted in the Beloved" (Eph 1:6).

      We WERE "children of disobedience" (Eph 2:2), but have NOW "obeyed from the heart the form of the doctrine delivered to us" (Rom 6:17). The "prince of the power of the air" ONCE worked in us (Eph 2:2), but NOW it is God who works within us to will and do of His own good pleasure (Phil 2:13). Once we WERE darkness, but NOW we "are light in the Lord" (Eph 5:8).

Once we WERE "without strength" (Rom 5:6), but NOW we are "strengthened with all might" (Col 1:11). Prior to being in Christ, we WERE "sinners" (Rom 5:8), but NOW we are "made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor 5:21). ONCE the devil took us captive according to his will (2 Tim 2:26), but now God "works in us that which is well pleasing in His sight" (Heb 13:21).

If you are a Christian, and do not think you have made much progress, set your mind to think upon what the Lord has done. All of the things I have mentioned have been wrought in all who have been born again. If you are in Christ Jesus, these describe your condition. Blessed are eyes that see it, and the ears that hear it!

PRAYER POINT: Father, how wonderful is your great salvation. I praise and thank You for moving me from the realm of the curse to the realm of blessing!

-- Tomorrow: BELIEVERS MUST BE TOLD --