“God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are His.’” (II Timothy 2:19) To those who began to follow Him, Jesus once said: “There are some of you who do not believe.” (John 6:64) Faith is not just a mental ascent to something that is true. Even the demons believe Jesus is the Son of God. We are called to bank everything on who Jesus is and what God has accomplished through Him. “Trust Me completely and do what I say. Commit yourself to Me… and you will experience true life.”
In the parable of the sower, Jesus explained that temptation, distraction, and difficulties will oppose those who hear the Word. “But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
The fruit is in Christ. “I am the Vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) No surprise Paul prayed we could see our position in Jesus ‘in the heavenly realms’ and ‘grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge…’ (Ephesians 3:18-19)
In his short book, ‘Sit, Walk, Stand,’ Watchman Nee points out the wonders of our blessings in Christ revealed in the first three chapters of Ephesians. Paul prayed that we can ‘understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.’ (1:19-20) And we are seated with Him! (2:6)
Paul uses the last three chapters of his letter to show how our position in Christ leads to victorious living. Watchman Nee writes: “Though the Christian life begins with sitting, sitting is always followed by walking. When once we have been well and truly seated and have found our strength in sitting down, then we do in fact begin to walk. Sitting describes our position with Christ in the heavenlies. Walking is the practical outworking of that heavenly position here on earth.”
As the old hymn says: “When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2
“At one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true).” Ephesians 5:8-9
‘Sit, Walk, Stand’ by Watchman Nee; Gospel Literature Service; ©1957; Bombay, India