Wednesday, September 16, 2026
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus... Ephesians 2:4-6
Do You Know Your Place?
But God...Through the grace of God we are saved -raised from the dead of our sin to new life in him. There is nothing we can do to earn it – it is purely a gift we are to receive and believe which leads to repentance, salvation, relationship with him, and eternal life.
Because of God’s rich mercy and great love for us, He saved us. We don't deserve it and never will. He forgave us and washed our sins away, making us a new creation in Him. Grace is a gift given by God, with no expectation of anything in return. If is free to us at no cost, but grace cost the giver. God sacrificed His own son so we could know His grace, receive His grace and live in His grace. Once we receive His grace, it is ours forever. It does not expire, and God does not take it back. It is a forever gift to us.
The most important way salvation changes us is that we were dead and now we are alive! Going from death to life brings a whole cascade of changes into our lives. We are a new person in him. Our lives should reflect his glory, grace, love, and kindness to everyone around us. Our lives should tell his story of saving grace and loving kindness.
We are raised up with him and seated in the heavens with Christ Jesus as Pastor Jim said Sunday both in position and power. That means we do not fight from a position of weakness but from the greatest power ever – the power of Jesus. We fight from his power, authority, and victory.
Living a Conqueror’s Life
In Romans 8 Paul talks about how we are not victims, but more than conqueror’s in Christ. Living a conqueror’s life means living victorious rather than defeated. To live as a conqueror means to live intentionally and with determination. This does not mean that we will not experience death, weakness, suffering, grief or sorrow. But there will be no permanent destruction because Jesus already holds the victory – and so do we through him. Hope is the key for the Christian. Hope is not wishing. It has a reason... the resurrection and victory of Jesus. Because of this we can live in victory instead of as a victim.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39
We have been given a heritage – a conqueror’s heritage. This heritage means we have been called to stand in his power. We have been called to fight in his power. We have been called to not let the circumstances around us defeat us, and that is hard sometimes. We have been called to live a conqueror’s life.
Therefore, if you were raised with Christ, look for the things that are above where Christ is sitting at God’s right side. Think about the things above and not things on earth. Colossians 3:1-2
Set your mind on him – the victory lies with him. Remember your heritage. Your Father is the King of Kings and because of his great love for you and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we are more than conquerors in him. Know your place in the battle. Your place in the battle is in him and his power and victory.
