Positional truth is a spiritual fact; it’s who we are by virtue of what Jesus Christ has done for us. Experiencing the practical reality of positional truth is discovered in how we actually live; how the spiritual benefits of our position in Jesus Christ are lived out daily. One of the best ways to appropriate the truth of our position in Jesus Christ and live in that truth practically is to remind ourselves every day of who we are in Jesus Christ. It’s the best way for us to start living in the experience of the spiritual wealth - the abundant spiritual supply God has given us in Jesus Christ.
Since we have been raised with Jesus Christ, here’s the first character trait of a resurrected life: “Keep seeking the things above, where Jesus Christ is, seated at the right hand of God the Father. Living the resurrection life brings a new focus to our minds; instead of the world around us and our self-centeredness, we now keep seeking the things above. In “living resurrection life,” believers are called to an upward trajectory - to an upward path of transformation.
Being “In Jesus Christ” refers to the believer’s union with Him. It refers to our “new position” in the sphere of resurrected life. It is the way God sees us, because we are in Jesus Christ. Every believer needs to understand the difference between our position with God because of Jesus Christ, and the practice of our faith. The practice of our faith must cause us to experience the practical reality of our position with God because we are in Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:1-25 (NLT2)
“This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and His Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed Him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace. All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by His great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance - an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by His power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So, be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold - though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So, when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls. This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Jesus Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Jesus Christ’s suffering and His great glory afterward. They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. So, think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So, you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So, you must live in reverent fear of Him during your time as “foreigners in the land. For you know that God paid a ransom (payment) to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom (payment) He paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Jesus Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose Him as your ransom (payment) long before the world began, but He has now revealed Him to you in these last days. Through Jesus Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because He raised Jesus Christ from the dead and gave Him great glory. You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.” And that word is the Good News (Gospel) that was preached to you.”
Here's a simple outline for the book of First Peter Chapter 1:
- “Know that You Are the Chosen of God” (1:1-2)
- “Know the Believer's Living Hope” (1:3-5)
- “Know the Truth About Trials and Temptations” (1:6-9)
- “Know the Wonder and Greatness of Salvation” (1:10-12)
- “Get Your Mind Ready” (1:13-16)
- “Live on Earth in the Fear and Reverence of God” (1:17-21)
- “Love One Another Passionately” (1:22-25)
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