The identification of the Christian with their Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, is the recurring theme throughout this book of Ephesians. Upwards of a dozen times we will find expressions like: in Christ, with Christ, in Him or with Him.
Eph 1:1 sets the tone for this recurring theme: Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus.
All these statements make reference to the fact that the believing people of God are to be viewed as being identified or associated with or in union with Jesus Christ.
In this Book of Ephesians we discover the benefits and blessings of our identification with Christ. In many ways it commences where the book of Romans concludes. Romans highlights our identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. Ephesians will emphasis our identification with Christ in His exaltation.
In respect of this identification with Jesus Christ in His exaltation this theme is also introduced to us very early in this book: Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
There are a number of similar statements in the opening chapters of this book: Ephesians 1:20; 2:6; 3:10.
Consider being raised to sit in heavenly places |
