15 Minute Bible Study
Our Position in Christ
Scripture Passage: Ephesians 2:4-7

The Christian life is not something we do; nor is it something we earn or strive to attain. It is simply who we are. A key to fulfillment in our spiritual walk is a firm understanding of who we are in Christ.

The Bible teaches that we as believers shared in Christ's death and burial. (Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:3-4) Four additional terms will help us comprehend our position in the Savior.

Resurrection. After we were crucified and buried with Christ, we certainly did not stay in the grave once He rose from the dead; we were raised back to life with Him. (Colossians 2:12-13) Baptism is important to the believer in that it represents our spiritual death, burial, and resurrection to new life in Jesus Christ?it is a public proclamation of our identification with the Lord through His pain and victory.

Heavenly places. When God regards Christians, He looks beyond where our physical bodies are and sees our real selves, which are identified with Christ and seated with Him in heavenly places. (Ephesians 2:6; Hebrews 10:12) This speaks of the believer as a citizen of heaven?our real lives are where we will spend eternity. Therefore, the Scriptures encourage focusing our minds heavenward, since that is where our nature is. (Colossians 3:2)

Hidden. This signifies security?if you are sitting in heaven, "hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3), no one can remove you from the safety and blessings of that position. The word "hidden" also refers to our separation from worldly ways and the genuine satisfaction derived from knowing God.

Returning. The Bible reveals how the Lord Jesus will return in the future. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) At that time, all Christians will be there in the clouds with Him, just as we are identified in His crucifixion, burial, and resurrection, seated with Him, and hidden with Him. When the Father sees Jesus in these positions, He at the same time sees every single believer with the Lord, eternally secure as a part of the family
of God.

Questions for Reflection:

1. What distracts your thoughts from eternal matters?

2. When God sees you, He sees His Son; do other people also see Jesus when they watch you