What Does It Mean to Be Seated in Heavenly Places? Understanding Our Spiritual Position
What Does It Mean to Be Seated in Heavenly Places? Understanding Our Spiritual Position
"Your position is secure, your condition is being renewed day by day." This past weekend my pastor (Dominic Russo - OC) said these profound words, and I have not been able to stop thinking about them. I have been processing this phrase for days and replaying the tapes on my life to try to determine why a "secure position" is so important to me.
If you are like me, maybe you have had people close to you abandon you, hurt you, or simply not be the person they represent themselves to be (the "do not meet your heroes" idea). These things are a part of life and they happen, but what I believe it does is conflate our view of God. Even when our position with people might be conditional, our condition in faith with God is not.
I am still processing these ideas in my head and hopefully they will help you to start thinking about it too.
What Does It Mean to Be Seated in Heavenly Places?
The phrase "seated in heavenly places" comes from Ephesians 2:6, where Paul writes that God has "raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms." This signifies our spiritual position as believers: our authority, identity, and victory in Christ. Being seated means we are no longer striving for righteousness but are secure in the finished work of Jesus.
What being seated in heavenly places means:
You have spiritual authority through Christ
Your identity is established in Him
Your victory is already won through His finished work
You are positioned with Christ in the spiritual realm
The Role of Grace and Faith in Our Position
Our position in Christ is not something we earn through works but is given to us by grace through faith. As Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast."
This means that our position is permanent, but our daily condition is continually being transformed.
Biblical Foundations for Our Position in Christ
Ephesians 2:5-7: God's Mercy and Grace
"But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our transgressions. It is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:5-7)
This passage confirms that our position is a direct result of God's mercy and love. It emphasizes that we were made alive with Christ, raised with Christ, and seated with Christ, signifying our unity with Him in His victory over sin and death.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18: Renewal in Christ
Paul encourages believers not to be discouraged by temporary struggles:
"Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
This scripture highlights the difference between our position and our condition. Our position is eternal, but our condition is being renewed daily. Even in trials, we can stand firm in our heavenly position, knowing that God is continually working in us.
Living from Our Heavenly Position
Our Identity is Secure, Not Earned by Works
Many believers struggle with feelings of unworthiness, but our position in Christ is not based on what we do. It is based on what Jesus has already done. We do not have to strive for approval; we are already accepted.
Walking in Authority and Sharing Christ's Love
Our heavenly position is not just a privilege but a responsibility. As Christ's ambassadors, we are called to represent Him on earth. This means walking in faith, speaking His truth, and extending His love to others.
This means our position in Christ calls us to reach out and show the love of Christ to others.
Understanding Position vs. Condition
Your Position: What God says about you through Christ
Seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6)
No condemnation (Romans 8:1)
Accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6)
Complete in Him (Colossians 2:10)
Your Condition: Your daily experience and growth
Being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16)
Growing in grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18)
Being transformed (Romans 12:2)
Working out your salvation (Philippians 2:12)
The Security of Our Spiritual Position
Why understanding your position matters:
When you truly grasp that your position with God is secure:
You stop performing for acceptance you already have
You serve from security, not insecurity
You love others without fear of rejection
You face trials with confidence in your identity
Practical Applications of Being Seated in Heavenly Places
Daily Living from Your Position
Start each day remembering:
You are seated with Christ
Your identity is secure
Your authority comes from Him
Your condition is being renewed
Prayer and Spiritual Authority
When you pray, remember:
You have access to the throne room
Your prayers carry spiritual authority
You are praying from victory, not for victory
Your position gives you confidence to approach God
Relationships and Ministry
In your relationships:
Love from overflow, not emptiness
Serve from security, not neediness
Minister from your position in Christ
Extend grace because you have received it
Common Questions About Being Seated in Heavenly Places
"Does this mean I am perfect?" No, your position is perfect, but your condition is being perfected daily.
"Can I lose this position?" No, your position is secured by Christ's work, not your performance.
"Why do I still struggle if I am seated with Christ?" Your position gives you the authority to overcome struggles, not immunity from them.
The Truth That Changes Everything
This truth reminds us that being seated in heavenly places is not just about personal assurance. It is about living with kingdom purpose.
Being seated in heavenly places with Christ is a foundational truth that changes how we see ourselves, our struggles, and our purpose. We are secure in Christ, renewed daily, and called to share His love. By embracing this spiritual position, we can live with confidence, authority, and an eternal perspective.
The bottom line: Your position is secure not because of your faithfulness, but because of His. Your condition is being renewed not through your effort, but through His grace working in you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does "seated in heavenly places" literally mean? It refers to your spiritual position of authority, rest, and victory with Christ. Being "seated" indicates you are not struggling for position but resting in the position Christ has given you through His finished work.
Q: Is this position something I will have in heaven or do I have it now? You have this position right now. Ephesians 2:6 uses past tense, indicating this is your current reality as a believer, not just a future promise.
Q: How can I be seated in heavenly places when I am obviously still on earth? This refers to your spiritual position, not your physical location. Just as you can be "in Christ" while physically on earth, you can be seated with Him in the spiritual realm.
Q: What authority do I have as someone seated in heavenly places? You have the authority to resist the enemy, pray with confidence, minister in Christ's name, and live victoriously. This authority comes from your union with Christ, not your own power.
Q: Why do I sometimes not feel like I am in this position? Feelings are part of your condition (daily experience), not your position (spiritual reality). Your position is based on biblical truth, not emotional experience.
Q: Can someone be a Christian but not be seated in heavenly places? No. If you are in Christ, you are seated with Him. This is not a special level of Christianity but the basic position of every believer.
Q: How does understanding this help with feelings of abandonment or rejection? When you know your position with God is secure, human rejection loses its power to define you. Your identity and worth are anchored in God's unchanging acceptance, not in others' treatment of you.
Q: What practical difference should this make in my daily life? You should experience greater confidence in prayer, less anxiety about your standing with God, more boldness in ministry, and deeper peace during trials. Your secure position becomes the foundation for confident Christian living.
Struggling to understand your spiritual position? Remember that God sees you through Christ. When He looks at you, He sees His beloved child, seated with His Son, secure in His love. Your position is not based on your performance but on His perfect work.
