Living in the Heavenlies

In the first part of Ephesians 1 the Apostle Paul lays the foundation of the position and identity of the believer in Christ. Then he prays this prayer, which has become a key part of my prayer life.

“Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ¹⁶ do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: ¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, ¹⁸ the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power ²⁰ which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” (Eph 1:15-21)

There is much to unpack here but for today let’s examine the portions that speak about our living out of the heavenlies. Paul, in summery, asked that their eyes would be opened to 1. the hope of His calling 2. the value in the saints and 3. the greatness of POWER that is toward those who believe. We’ll put our attention on the last. Paul said this about the power:

“according to the working of His mighty power ²⁰ which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.”

The Greek word for “worked” is one of the main power words. it is energeō and means operative power. It can be likened to the engine of a car, working underneath to power it. The power that was worked in Christ and that is toward us is dynamis, another of the Greek power words. It is EXPLOSIVE power!

We see that this same power that is toward us who believe is the resurrection power that was worked in Jesus when he rose from the dead. This working of power RAISED Him up and caused Him to be seated in the heavenly places. Not only was He raised up but “far above all principality and power and might and dominion…”

Now, fast forward to chapter 2 and we’ll find ourselves seated with Christ.

“even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), ⁶ and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Eph 2:5-6)

And if we are seated with Christ then we are also “far above all principality and power and might and dominion…” Saints, friends, I hope you get this in your spirit. We have been placed, not by our good works or piety, but by His grace, in the heavenly places.

There is a scripture that is exploding in my spirit.

“Once we carried the likeness of the man of dust, but now let us carry the likeness of the man of heaven.” (1 Cor 15:49, TPT)

Now that we are raised with Christ we are to carry the likeness of the man of heaven. How do we recognize that a person is from certain region in the United States? It is by their accent. Being from New York I can recognize the distinct accent no matter where in the world I was. It is also so with the man of heaven. He has the characteristics of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. He carries the fragrance and anointing of heaven.

How do we carry the likeness of the man of heaven? Simply by remaining seated in the heavenlies with Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit. It is a place of rest and confidence. Its not about striving its about resting. But oh yes you will find yourself interceding, wrestling principalities and the like but it will be done from a seated position.