“To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.” Ephesians 3:10
The context of the church’s existence is that of magnificent spiritual blessing revealed IN CHRIST, made available to every believer in the body of Christ, that by the name of the Lord Jesus, and and the quickening Spirit, God may be known in these last days, in power and might, in mercy and grace, and in love and justice. The “mystery of Christ,” as the Apostle Paul put it, is that unveiling of the unsearchable riches of Christ declared and made possible to be known, as the truth of one’s union with Christ is revealed, and His indwelling grasped. “Christ dwelling in the heart by faith” is the great revelation provided to the church by the writers of the New Testament in particular, by which the door is opened, and the opportunity given, for every believer to grasp the truth of Christ’s work on Calvary, not only to deal with sin, but to deal with every enemy that would hinder the coming of the Spirit of Pentecost, the receiving of the Spirit, and the manifestation of His fulness today in the life. So, the context of the church is first and foremost one of revelation, the unveiling of a mystery which has been hid for “other ages,” but now revealed, so that by the truth of it, the church can be filled with Christ, His blessed life and power by the Spirit. The other aspect of this context in which the church finds itself, has to do with the opposition to it. Since the day of Pentecost, when the Spirit was poured out upon all flesh, there has been the concerted, determined opposition by the enemy of God, and the church, to stop or hinder the spreading of the truth of the great “mystery.” In so doing, there will be the limited “manifestation” of the victorious life of Christ in the church, a victory that even the gates of Hell cannot prevail against. On the one hand, that which is presented to every believer is a communion with God which is real, confirmed in the heart by the witness of the Spirit, and also, in the body of Christ by the peace that He gives. It is a communion with Christ by the Spirit, a fellowship with the Father and the Son, to be known and lived on the face of this earth, and fully realized in heaven. It is also, a communion that will be opposed in every way possible, to cause the believer, in some way or fashion not believe, and grasp such a victory. It is with regard to this conflict that the truth of one’s union with Christ must be seen and grasped by faith.
The Apostle Paul tells us that the Father places every born again believer into Christ, not only with regard to a position, Christ’s victorious position above all His enemies, but into a living, vital union with Christ by the Spirit. “But of God are ye IN Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” (1 Cor. 1:30) This union is indestructible, and extraordinary with regard to the possibilities of knowing Christ according to it. There are certain, important salient features which are important to grasp.
Paul writes in Romans 6, that the “old man,” all that was true of us “in Adam,” has been totally dealt with. The believer was, “…baptized into Jesus’ death, and this by being crucified with Him, and buried with Him.” God has done away with Adam, so that the sinful nature should not reign. Freedom from sin results in a walk “in newness of life.” Christ was raised from the dead, and was “set” at the Father’s right hand, “…far above all principality and power, and might, and dominion.” (Eph. 1:19) From this position the believer is to live, in union and communion with Christ, in the victory of Christ by the power of Christ’s indestructible Life.
Dear Father, Strengthen mightily our faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.