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, 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 14 of 16

A POINT OF CONCERN

    The trends of much of contemporary Christianity are of great concern to me. They appear to be closer to earth than to heaven, and to flesh than the Holy Spirit. Rarely does one encounter a spiritual environment in which heaven is dominant, and "spiritual blessings" are preferred and eagerly sought. Church leaders often receive their credentials from the world, and are actually greater experts in the things of "this present evil world" than in "spiritual blessings in the heavenly places."

      I am painfully aware that it is not at all popular to address this subject, and that it will be viewed by many as highly negative and unproductive.  Notwithstanding, the condition does exist, and it constitutes a breach of Divine trust. One of our Lord's last admonitions was "Feed My sheep!" (John 21:15-17). Isaiah cried out for God when he said, "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God" (Isa 40:1). The neglect of the people of God will not be overlooked by Him. When the "sheep" belonging to Christ are not fed and nourished, a most serious condition exists. Those who are guilty of such neglect will give an account for their pretended "ministry."

      Following His ascension to the right hand of God, Jesus "gave gifts unto men," declaring their purpose with remarkable clarity: "to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ" (Eph 4:9-13). The maturity of believers is of the highest order, and is not outranked by any other heavenly commission.

      In spite of this, countless churches continue to serve up such meager spiritual portions that the souls of the people are emaciated. Myriad of professed believers remain unaware of what the Lord has provided for them. They have little understanding of who they are in Christ Jesus, and have never even heard the term "heavenly places," much less that "all spiritual blessings" have been provided for them there.

    All of this is in stark contrast with the real circumstance of the Kingdom. Let it be clear that God will receive nothing from His children that is conducted outside of the "heavenly places" in which He seated them (Eph 2:6). There are no eternal benefits that are not appropriated there (Eph 1:3). Any worship that is not carried out in these realms is nothing more than simulated worship. It is not real. Any service or labor that is not expended in this domain is classified as "of the flesh," and is nothing more that sowing to the flesh, which can only yield 'corruption" (Gal 6:8).

    Attempting to serve God outside of these "heavenly places" is like the Levitical priests trying to serve God outside of the tabernacle, in the periphery of the camp. It is like Abraham picking a mountain closer to home, and more convenient to the flesh, upon which to offer Isaac.

    As believers, our joint activities are to be conducive to maintaining our position in the "heavenly places." Our focus is to be on the blessings that are associated exclusively with that productive and enjoyable environment.

PRAYER POINT; Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask that you strengthen those who stand in Your name, enabling them to feed Your people.

-- Tomorrow: THE GRAND OBJECTIVE --