FAR ABOVE
31st Jul 2013
The demands of every day life can so easily bury us in our circumstances, so that it is hard for us to see the wood from the trees. However, Jesus has made available a different way to live!
In Ephesians 1:19-21 it says that when God raised Jesus, “He raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion.” None of life’s problems can effect Jesus because He is “far above” all the powers that reign on earth and dominate our fallen world.
So what good is that to us? We now need to go a little further in Paul’s letter, where he says, “God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6) So if Jesus is “far above” all earthly principalities and powers, so are we, because we are “seated with him” sharing His place of peace and victory.
When our children were very young, and we were in a crowd watching some spectacular event, I would take one of them and hoist them onto my shoulders. This would take them away from the danger of being crushed by the crowds and would give them a much better view. They were now “far above” the surging crowds, safe and with an entirely new perspective.
That is what Jesus wants to do for you today. Your thoughts may be bombarded with fear and anxiety, with situations beyond your control, and yet God’s word to you is, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives away all fear.” (1 John 4:18) Jesus wants to take hold of you and lift you up “far above” the fear.
A change of perspective is life transforming, you may be going through many challenges, perhaps it’s in your family life, work situation, or your finances. When you choose to be seated “far above” with Jesus, fear is replaced by faith, and despair is turned into joy.
by Charles Sibthorpe
