(Eph. 1:15-23; 3:14-2115Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far 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: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:15‑23)
14For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Ephesians 3:14‑21).)
Chapter 3:14-16. “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.” We are now come in our meditations to the apostle’s second prayer. The object and character of this prayer are very different to the first, though their moral connection is easily seen. Christ is the center of both, and the Christian is associated with Him as such. The first refers to the kingdom of Christ and our association with Him in the dominion and glory. The second, to the house of many mansions, where we are loved of the Father even as Christ Himself is loved. We are thus, Ο wondrous thought, one with Him as the exalted man, in love and glory — in all the intimacies of the family, and in all the outward glories of the kingdom.
But tell me, Ο my soul, how far hast thou entered into these blessed realities? Hast thou the enjoyment of them now? The special work of the Holy Spirit that dwells within thee, is to take of the things of Christ and show them unto thee. Grieve Him not, I pray thee. Unbelief in thy heart, or worldliness in thy life, would hinder His gracious operations. He is both the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of truth. Whatever is not according to truth and holiness in us must grieve Him. This is the main reason, let me assure thee, why so many have such a dim apprehension of Christ, and such a feeble grasp of heavenly truth. The Holy Spirit, who only can reveal Christ and His work to the soul, is grieved. Yes, grieved and hindered in His gracious operations by many things, but especially by our unbelief as to His dwelling in us and abiding with us. Many Christians — if we may judge from what they say — are more occupied with the law than with the Holy Spirit; this is a serious mistake and greatly hinders their souls’ prosperity. No soul thus occupied can ever be in a state of happy liberty. The law genders to bondage. It was given to govern human nature; tire Holy Spirit is given to govern our divine nature. Faith knows that the old nature is dead, and that the law cannot apply to that which it has killed. “Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Rom. 6:66Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Romans 6:6).) Hence we are warned and exhorted not to grieve the Holy Ghost whereby we are sealed unto the day of redemption. “Know ye not,” says the apostle, “that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you?” But alas, alas, the religion of many is much the same as in Old Testament times- it is the law and human nature, in place of the Holy Ghost and eternal life in a risen Christ. Not that Christ is left out, or His cross either; but there is such a mixture of law and grace — of the old creation and the new, that the Holy Spirit is grieved, and sad confusion the result. Hence the many doubts and fears in place of conscious, happy association with Christ risen, exalted, and glorified.
But in what sense, many inquire, can it be said that we are associated with Christ while here in the world? As for example, it is said, that we are seated together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Does not this refer to the future when we shall be actually with Christ in heaven, or to the purpose of God’s everlasting love? No, my friend, it refers to the present, and neither to the decrees of God nor to the future. The apostle is speaking of those who were quickened by the Spirit, through faith in Christ. True, by and by we shall be with Christ in heaven; now we are said to be in Him. It is equally true that the love of God is from everlasting to everlasting; but our relationship to Him as His children begins with faith. “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:2626For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26).) Until we had faith in Christ, and were quickened by the Holy Spirit, we were “by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” But let me endeavor to explain your difficulty. And here scripture must be our only guide, and the only ground of our path, even though we may not fully understand it. Association with Christ is the great truth of Christianity, and worthy of our most patient meditation.
In Eph. 2 we find it stated in plainest terms, that when we were dead in sins, God quickened us together with Christ. We must begin, in our meditations on this subject, in the region of death. We start from the tomb— we land in glory. God quickens out of the grave. We were dead in our trespasses and sins. That is, we were without spiritual life. Mark tins carefully, we were without the least movement of spiritual life. “We were dead in sins.” But when we were thus dead in sins, the blessed Lord lay dead for sins. At that solemn moment all were dead. The first Adam dead in sin, the last Adam dead for sin. Not a breath stirred to disturb the deep silence of death. It was as if the vessel had sunk and the wave closed over it. But now, when man could contribute nothing towards the great work, God enters the scene; but He enters it as the God of resurrection. He only can plant the pulse of life in a dead soul. “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.” But to know our blessing we must see it in Christ, so we turn to Him, and meditate on what He is in God’s sight.
He died for us — forever blessed be His name. The Holy One — the spotless Lamb of God died for us. The awful question of sin which stood against us, He answered on the cross and settled forever. God was thus glorified and the way opened for Him to show His love to us according to all that was in His heart. But He who had gone down under death as the judgment of God on our sins, was raised up again, and we were raised with Him. Here, God alone as the great Workman fills the scene. He is free to act, and acts towards the objects of His love in richest grace. He works, not only to meet their wants but to glorify His own name. Sin has been blotted out by the shed blood of His dear Son, all His past ways have been vindicated, and His name glorified. His rich mercy and His great love characterize the great work. Christ is brought forth from under the power of death, and we are brought forth with Him. “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.” Thus we are associated with the risen Christ by the quickening power of God, in the most real, intimate, and blessed way. We have life in union with Him who is before God as His supreme delight, and we are associated with Him in all the blessed realities of His life. And what more, tell me, can be said or thought of? This is the great truth of Christianity —Christ’s own life is ours. The place and privileges that belong to this life as now seen in Christ before God, are ours. Hence it is said that we are not only quickened together — raised up together, but seated together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
But this most marvelous and blessed truth is also one of great practical power. It is the true ground of peace. Our sins must be all forgiven before we can be thus one with Christ. All that belonged to the old man was judged on the cross, and put away forever. Blessed be His name. And now we are brought into the presence of God without our sins, and in the condition of divine righteousness. Christ is thus our righteousness as well as our life. In a word, He is our full salvation. “By grace ye are saved.” Salvation, according to this epistle, is a present reality. We are as really saved now as ever we can be. “By grace ye are saved.” Though salvation is spoken of in some of the other epistles as future, it is not less certain, but viewed as the end of our journey, when we shall stand before Christ in glory, when all the trials, difficulties, and dangers of the way shall he left behind.
This, then, dear friend, is my rather lengthy answer to your question, but it needed some explanation. It is what we have called the Christian’s standing, or his association with Christ risen, in the full value of eternal life and divine righteousness. In virtue of this union it can be said of him in truth, even while he is here in this world, that he is seated together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
The theology of some, I know, would bring a dark cloud over this bright scene, by saying, that the Christian may lose his eternal life. But what does scripture say? Plainly, that we are one with Christ, from the moment that we are quickened through faith in Him; and that His life is ours, not on the ground of our goodness, but His grace; adored be His name. From the time that we believe we have eternal life, right on, without the possibility of a break, throughout the endless ages of eternity. God has said it — God has formed the union — it is in resurrection where no enemy can ever come — the death of Christ has closed the door on every foe, even as the Lord shut Noah and his family inside the ark. Quickening, raising, sitting, are immediately followed by the statement of the very motive and purpose of God in our blessing. “That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness towards us through Christ Jesus.” Here, faith can breathe freely, rest quietly, wait patiently, and without the smallest misgiving. Faith never asks for more than the word of God. Though, alas, in many things we fail and come short, yet He is faithful. The life which He gives is like Himself —Eternal; “His kindness towards us through Christ Jesus” is also like Himself — Eternal; here called, “the ages to come.” See the entire chain of grace, verses 4-10.
Think, Ο think, my soul, on what grace has brought thee into—on what grace does for everyone who believes in Christ Jesus. Quickened, raised, seated, in happy association with the blessed Lord; and the bright, bright opening of the rolling ages of a happy eternity before thee, with the unknown extent of the glory of God, which shall forever surround thy Well-beloved, and all who are associated with Him in the power of His endless life.
Ο that God’s richest blessing may rest on every soul that glances over these pages. Dear reader — my heart goes out to thee — Art thou saved? Is this eternal life thine? Ο what a prize to win, but, alas, what a prize to lose! It can only he won by faith in Christ. Bow, I pray thee, at His blessed feet — listen to His voice — hear that sweetest of all gospel notes — Come! come unto me! Melting words! They come from a heart that only loves — from lips that drop the sweetest accents of grace. Ο listen and obey —may they melt thy heart. How awful it would be for thee to hear at last from those lips, words of burning wrath. But God forbid! Hear now — believe now, and turn to Him now in unquestioning confidence. All is plain and simple, only give heed to the one thing needful. To hear the voice of Christ is to be one of His sheep. And this is what He says about every sheep of His without exception: “I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father which gave them me is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” (John 10:28, 2928And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:28‑29).) Better far, my dear reader, to be in the hand of Christ than in the hand of Satan. May the Lord enable thee to decide at once for Christ, and to give thy whole heart to Him, and to faithfully serve and follow Him. Blessed Lord! He alone is worthy.
“Oh, dearest Savior! take my heart:
Where can such sweetness be
As I have tasted in thy love,
As I have found in thee?
Let every fervor of my soul,
By thy sweet sacrifice,
Forever be at thy control,
And but to serve thee rise.”