Sitting in Christ

The God of our Lord Jesus Christ,...raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
(Ephesians 1:17-21)

and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
(Ephesians 2:6-9)

I am reading a book called "Sit, Walk, Stand" by Watchman Nee. The book is a study of Ephesians, which breaks the book down like this...

I. Ephesians
A. Doctrinal (Chapters 1 - 3)
1. Our Position in Christ (1:1 - 3:21)

B. Practical (Chapters 4 - 6)
1. Our Life in the World (4:1 - 6:9)
2. Our Attitude to the Enemy (6:10 - 6:24)

In the chapter titled "Sit", Nee talks about our position in Christ (1:1 - 3:21). Nee says

"Most Christians make the mistake of trying to walk in order to be able to sit, but that is a reversal of the true order. Our natural reason says, If we do not walk, how can we ever reach the goal? What can we attain without effort? How can we ever get anywhere if we do not move? But Christianity is a queer business! If at the outset we try to do anything, we get nothing; if we seek to attain something, we miss everything. For Christianity begins not with a big DO but a big DONE. Thus Ephesians opens with the statement that God has 'blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ' (1:3) and we are invited at the very onset to sit down and enjoy what God has done for us; not to set out to try and attain it for ourselves."

Later on, Nee says

"no Christian experience begins with walking, but always with a definite sitting down. The secret of deliverance from sin is not to do something but to rest on what God has done...when you cease doing, then God will begin."

With this revelation God has shown me some vital concepts. In discussing a particular struggle I was going through, my pastor explained that I had three options...

"Irreligiously--you can justify continuing in this struggle: (There are a) host of excuses that justify our sinful thoughts and ways. This, obviously misses the mark on reflecting God's glory."

This is the philosophy that so many who struggle with sin choose. Ultimately they are choosing to not deal with the issue at all. As fallen, sinful humans we would rather go on sinning than change. Change means that we will have to hand over a part of our lives to Christ where we have previously relied on something else (a functional savior) to provide a quick fix in that area. Trying to justify a sin shows that we don't want to place our faith in Jesus in this area of our lives.

"Religiously--you can just try harder. But this leaves you to do so only in your own power that leaves you with a cycle of disappointment or pride, both of which will not please the heart of God."

This is the state I was previously in. I hated my sin and I agonized over it constantly. I fought, and wrestled, yet I never gave it to Christ. I tried to overcome with my own power. Each time I fought, I lost sooner or later. Never once when asking Christ to take it did I actually let Him have it.

Finally,

"Repentance--this is the only way to live in line with the truth revealed in the gospel. To confess where we do not live in line with the truth and to understand that if we walk after the Spirit we WILL NOT fulfill the lust of the flesh (Paul to the Romans). Seek strength and change from God alone because with him, all things are possible and you CAN DO all things through Christ that strengthens you. Simply confess and reckon your life in light of the truth. In true repentance you will grow to reflect the Savior."

I had already heard this alot in my life but I never got what it meant to stop trying and just walk in the Spirit. The part I was missing was SIT and REST!

Nee goes on later in Chapter 2 to explain

"The Christian's secret is his rest in Christ. His power derives from his God given position. All who sit in Christ can walk, for in the thought of God the one follows the other spontaneously. We sit forever with Christ that we may walk continuously before men. Forsake for a moment our place of rest in Him, and immediately we are tripped and our testimony in the world is marred. But abide in Christ, and our position there ensures the power to walk worthy of Him here. If you desire an illustration of this kind of progress, think, first of all, not of a runner in a race but of a man in a car, or better still, of a cripple in a power-driven invalid carriage. What does he do? He goes--but he also sits. And he keeps going because he remains sitting. His progress follows from the position in which he has been placed. This, of course, is a far-from-perfect picture of the Christian life, but it may serve to remind us that our conduct and behaviour depend fundamentally upon our inward rest in Christ."

This has helped me to just chill out in Jesus. As He moves, I move in Him.

To a people with a very "religious" way of life, commanded by very "religious" teachers, Jesus made them an offer. He said

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
(Matthew 11:28-29)

Jesus, I appreciate Your offer and I accept. Thank You. I Love You