Where Are You Now?

Scripture: Ephesians 2:6 "and raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,"

Observation: God didn't stop at regeneration. He made us to follow His Son in being seated in heaven (Eph. 1:20-21). God saved us, God raised us, God gave us seats. The seats are a picture of peace with God, too.

This is also descriptive of the fact that heaven isn't so much a place as it is a presence. Why will heaven one day be here on earth? Because God will reside here! Eternal life is the result of having unbroken, unhindered, unending relationship and presence with God. So many Scriptures speak on this truth.

Galatians 2:20 "...it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me..."

Matthew 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven... On that day many will say... 'did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many might works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; departure from me, you workers of lawlessness.' "

John 17:3 "and this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."

Jeremiah 31:33 " 'and this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days' says the Lord. 'I will put My law in their minds and write it on their hearts, and I will be there God and they shall be My people.' " This is an indirect reference. The presence of the Lord here is found in the fact that God's law is an extension of God Himself. To have His law is to have Him. To not have His law in me is to not have Him either.

Application: My life should be one of praise and my heart one of thankfulness. If this life is temporary, then my mind should be on eternity and the promise of my inheritance. If heaven is a presence, I shouldn't wait for my death or Christ's return to have what I can have here and now - relationship, intimate relationship with God.

Prayer: Please help me to pursue You to the loss of everything else. Please remove false thoughts or understandings of Christianity and heaven and Your will. They stop me from Your good and perfect will for me. They leave me with a false inheritance. Please teach me the truth. Amen.