Rev. Johnson V.
6th March 2011

Have you ever wondered how some people always seem to receive answers to their prayer or how they always seem to know God’s mind on a particular matter? It’s like they have a direct hotline to God. Why is it we struggle to pray even a few sentences, while for some it seems so effortless? How is it that some people just open their mouth to pray, and God’s presence seems to flood the room?

Ephesians 2:1-9 gives us some answers to these questions. The Bible says that all of us, in the past, were lovers of ourselves gratifying our earthly desires and living lives contrary to God’s plan for us. We deserved no good thing and rightfully deserved death. But because of our Father’s abundant mercy and grace, He made us alive through Christ. And as verse 6 says, “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” And that verse is the clue to the answers we are looking for.

Physically we are on the earth, surrounded by familiar people and situations. But spiritually, we are seated at the right hand of God. Physically we are here, but our spiritual authority, which underlies everything else, is with Christ Jesus in heaven. We are not weak. We have been given strength and authority.

But authority itself is not enough. We must learn to exercise it. There is a difference in the respect given to a policeman when he is standing on the road directing traffic vis-à-vis when he stands on the side of the road, thumbing a ride. Even huge eighteen-wheeler trucks will stop at his signal when he directs traffic. But few vehicles will stop if he is on the roadside wanting a ride.

Let us remember that:-

1. We are not designed to live outside the presence of God. When we move outside of His Presence, we function in a lesser capacity. The absence of God’s Presence is at the root of every problematic situation of every person on the earth. In the Presence of God there is continually renewal. What happens if we do move out from under the mantle of God’s Presence? How can we return to Him? We return through faith, worship and reverence of His presence. 1 Samuel 2:3, says “Honour God and He will honour you….”
2. We are created to function in righteousness. When we function in unrighteousness, we land in problems. Righteousness is not external, it begins from within us. It is no use if we have an air of righteousness around us, if our hearts are still steeped in our old sin. We must change from the inside out. The Holy Spirit dwells in us and changes us from the inside.

We can be effective, the way God intended for us to be, only if we can clear about our position. We cannot think, speak or act with authority unless we know who we are in Christ Jesus. If we are confused about our position in Christ Jesus, our enemy will lose no time in trying to mislead us. Our God has done so much so that we can become His children. Let our commitment be strong and our conviction unwavering as we approach the throne of Grace, in the manner that God desires.