Ephesians

Posture before God… Sit, Bow, Walk, Stand

The theme of posture before God is a crucial element in the letter of Ephesians, as Paul is trying to show the people of the church in Ephesus the different ways in which they are to view themselves before God, the different ways they can live out their faith. As the Ephesians hear of their position with God as sons, their identity before the Father because of Christ, there is an emphasis on Christ’s posture. Christ was raised and is seated, past tense, at the right hand of God lifted up, ruling and reigning above all powers in heaven and on earth. To the Ephesians this is an answer to the question beating in their hearts… how does Jesus Christ rank amongst the other gods and mysteries surrounding them? He is above all, sitting in a seat of authority over their powers. Then they see that they also are seated with Him, according to God’s mercy and sins forgiven, sharing in his position above the other gods in heavenly places. Their position is secure as God’s children, sitting with the Father on high, just as Christ has been raised up and has authority above all things, every name that is named, He is the chief paramount power over all created things on heaven and earth. (Ephesians 1:3-2:11)

Paul ends His speech on the identity found in Christ with a heartfelt prayer that the Ephesians would know the depth and fullness of Christ and be strengthened by the reality of His power above all. In Paul’s prayer, however, they see that their position before God should be one of humility as he bows to cry out on their behalf. In light of the position Christ gave us, the proper posture before Him should be one of reverence, for He alone has rescued them from darkness. He alone can reveal the mystery of His love for them and empower them to live in His freedom. (Ephesians 3:14-3:21)

Now that there is rest in their position seated beside God it is time for action for the children of God. Paul calls this loving response out of the Ephesians by urging them to walk their lives out appropriately according to the mercy given them. They have been called… that they would live free as Christ’s children… and the way that looks is to live diametrically opposed to the world surrounding them. There is a call to walk in light and love, though surrounded by darkness, that Christ’s light that was shown to them would be seen, bringing freedom, life, and security to those who have none as they once did. Then there is a call to stand firm in the truth of God’s mercy over them, for they are righteous and forgiven. They have been given something that cannot be taken away, they indeed are children of God in Christ, having their savior, with power over all things in heaven and on earth seated next to them. The Ephesians are called to stand their ground and press forward in light of the call of Christ on their lives, taking up the strength God has given them in Christ’s finished and ongoing work.

There is no difference between the Ephesians and us today, for we have been given the same position of freedom sitting next to Christ and now have the same call in our culture. As we see Christ and our true position of rest in grace, we are humbled and press onward. We should stand in the truth of the gospel because Christ’s mercy over us cannot be changed or lost. He rules and reigns over the darkness surrounding us, and He is our strength as we walk out our lives bringing the great light and life given us to others.