Page 19 - Ephesians

“Which He brought about in Christ, when He 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 every name that is named, not only in this age,
but also in the one to come. And He put all things in
subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all
things to the Church.”

When I read this I ask, “When Paul was in jail, who was on top?
Who was on the bottom?” On the level of earth it looked like Nero
was top dog, and Paul was eating scraps. That isn’t what
Ephesians 1:20-22 says!!! It says Paul was ABOVE all dominion
– FAR above!

Many years ago, I was on my way to clean carpets in a very
dangerous neighborhood in Brooklyn. As I sat at a traffic light,
with some fear and trepidation in my heart, a 747 flew over my
head. I sarcastically said to the Lord, “That’s the safe way to
travel through this place!” He quickly straightened me out saying,
“Your flying much higher than that. You’re seated in heavenly
places in Christ Jesus.” OOPS! I needed His eyes to see.

I used to think of poor old Paul in shackles, looking to big powerful
Nero. NO! NO! NO! It’s just the opposite. Paul was a multi-
billionaire in Christ. He was looking down at Nero! Paul was far,
far above Nero. Infinitely above Nero, and every name that is
named. I wonder if this is your testimony. Are you looking down
on your problems? How are you doing?

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Ephesians will show us how
far above our circumstances, we are in Christ. This is part of our
inheritance. Jail was not a hindrance to Paul’s life. No! He saw
the soldiers in their Roman armor and said, “Now, that’s just what
a Christian looks like, all dressed up in God,” and he urged us to
put on the “Whole armor of God”!!