“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; that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” — Ephesians 2:4, 74But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, (Ephesians 2:4)
7That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:7).
THE Ephesian believers were like all others who are saved by grace. In their natural state they were away from God and dead to spiritual realities. Awakened and led to trust in Christ, they became members of His Body and were sealed by the Holy Spirit. Unable to save themselves by good works, they were now called to walk in good works as an evidence of the reality of the new life God had given to them. Grace does not do away with responsibility, but puts it in its right place.
God sees all believers as linked with Christ in His resurrection and now associated with Him in His glory. It is representation here. We are seated in Him. Some day we shall be seated with Him. “Heavenly places” is the Canaan of the new dispensation—our inheritance in Christ.
“Glory unto Him who died—
Who for us was crucified—
Came in rich, abounding grace—
Took the guilty sinner’s place.
Glory unto Him who lives—
Him who life eternal gives—
Quickened from the silent grave,
He is mighty now to save.
Glory unto Him on high,
By whose blood we are made nigh;
Seated in Him is our place—
Trophies of His matchless grace.”
—G. W. Frazer.