“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.” Ephesians 6:14
Dear Ones:
In Watchman Nee’s great, little book, entitled, “Sit, Walk, Stand,” he deals with the developing experience in the life of a Christian. He begins with the knowledge of the truth concerning one’s position in Christ, as opposed to that in Adam. It is a position believed, and laid hold of according to the truths of the Gospel. That spiritual position begins with the truth of God the Father placing the believer in Jesus Christ, “…who of God has been made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. ” (1 Cor. 1:30) When Christ died on Calvary, He took not only the sins of mankind upon himself, but also the sinner himself. The old man, the life lived in any and every way according to the “sinner” Adam, was put to death in the sight of God, and buried. This is why Paul writes to the Roman believers, asking the question: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into His death?” (6:3) What Scripture calls, “the Old Man,” is that representation of all that is not of Christ in any form or fashion, act and attitude. As none of what Adam was, as a sinner, can inherit the kingdom of God, so nothing of sin, in any manifestation whatsoever, is worthy of dwelling with God eternally. There is only one place for sin, and it is in the grave, buried. “Old things are passed away; all things are become new.” The NEW thing is that, just as sin had to be buried, so the New Man in Christ, is raised from the dead with Christ, to know newness of Life eternal. The believer now “…lives unto God,” being alive unto God. God has set him free from the “law of sin and death.” But this is not all of that which pertains to the new position of being in Christ. God has “…raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places IN Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2:6) The Christian’s position now in Christ is one of union with Him, seated at the right hand of God. The application of this vision of one’s position is this: The victory of Christ, in every aspect, is fulfilled and has been perfectly and completely realized in Christ. He sits at the right hand of God, having received from the Father “…all power (and authority).” The Christian is justified by the blood of Christ, sanctified by the Spirit according to the truth, and now called to live by the very power of the resurrected Christ. Are we willing to come to grips with the reality of this position, this truth of our union and position in Christ? Are we willing to believe God for the victory of Christ to be manifested in and through us?
The second aspect of Paul’s presentation of the Christian’s developing experience is that of the new “walk.” In the consideration of this matter, it is essential to understand that we are dealing with the entirety of the disciple’s existence here. The “walk before God,” by the Spirit, is one that is according to truth. Everything concerning this exercise of surrender to God, and faithful obedience to Christ, is designed so that the believer can walk and work in a manner according to Christ, by the power of the Spirit, for the glory of Christ. This involves the spirit, soul, and body, as the Holy Spirit directs and leads, supplying every resource for the meeting of every need. Will we truly walk by faith before God?
Lastly, the Apostle deals with standing. It is one thing to have a new position in Christ, and to be engaged in walking before, and with God. However, there must be a stance taken to resist the temptations and distractions designed by the adversary, to drive us from the field of faith. It is here that the strength of Christ by His Spirit must be appropriated. With feet planted and the truth embraced, we take our stand.
Dear Father, Strengthen our hearts to stand, and withstand, by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad