THE CUTTING EDGE

                                       A monthly devotion of Global Training Network

THRONE RIGHTS

  I make a point always to ask as I come across passages of Scripture, “What does this mean?” and then I ask, “What does this mean to me personally?” This allows the Holy Spirit to make personal application of the truths He reveals. I find such a passage in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Let us read it together:

  “And He raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6).

  Now, if I read this passage right, it means that I (though I am the least of the least of the least) am enthroned with Him in heaven. How can this be! It can be—and it is—because God in His great love and mercy has placed us in Christ! Watchman Nee, the great Chinese Christian, calls this the most important phrase in the entire Bible.

  The Apostle Paul in Romans 6:5 states this phenomenal truth of being united with – and placed in Christ. We become one with Him to share in His death, burial and resurrection. Because of this incredible act of God, we are raised together with Him enjoying certain perks as it were, certain rights that I refer to as ThroneRights that are mine as my present possession to be used to His glory.

  Of course, this excites our curiosity to know just what these throne rights are. We do not have space to list them all, but let us search out a few of the best. (All are good and I am not implying some rights are more important than others.) The first throne right that comes to mind is access. Because we are seated with Christ on His throne, we have full and complete access to the Father.

  Bear in mind, the Holy of Holies was a forbidden place which only the High Priest could enter with great fear and trembling once a year. But now the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies has been torn asunder by Christ’s great sacrifice, and we are told to come boldly and confidently into the very presence of God! This means that at any moment, anywhere, under any circumstance not only can we come boldly, but the Father welcomes us with great joy. Can you imagine doing business with our Father God face to face! Incredible! This should reveal to us just how important prayer is.

  Another right is profusion. We are told by Paul that the love of God fills us in profusion (overflowing) with the love of God. This means that God’s love comes from heaven to us through the Holy Spirit and is given by us back to God. With this in mind read Ephesians 3:14-19. We also find this profusion with hope, joy, and peace (Romans 15:13).

  Then we have abundance. Paul tells us in the first chapter of Ephesians that Jesus has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. One could write a book just listing what these blessings are. A few are power (Acts 1:8), fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), our salvation, the armor of God, and imputed righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30). The list goes on and on. I challenge you to find additional blessings; you will find it a joy.

  I would close this little ditty with one more throne right—conquering! We are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ—conquerors over the world, over the self-life, over the powers of darkness. 

If He be for us, who can be against us!

                                                                     Blessings, Jim Craddock