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.
Last week we looked at the book of First Peter chapter 1, and it's from that pericope, we find the following truths and admonitions:
- “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)
"Know that you are the chosen of God"
Believers have “the highest position” in all the world, “the position” of being God's own holy and beloved children {Colossians 3:12}. Believers have been elected - chosen to be holy. The word "holy“ means separated or set apart for God’s use and purpose. God called believers out of the world and away from the old life it offered, the old life of sin and death. God has called believers to turn away from the old life that showed hatred toward God, the old life that rejected, rebelled, ignored, and denied God. God has called believers to be His beloved; those that receive His love in Jesus Christ.
“Know the believer’s living hope”
What is the great hope of the believer? It is eternal life - the glorious privilege of living forever with God! No greater privilege could ever be given to us. Note that our hope is said to be a “living hope.” A living hope means that it is not a dead, lifeless hope. Despite all the earthly benefits we get from positive thinking - affirmations and motivational hope, these have no meaning beyond this life and the grave. The hope that God gives is a living hope, a hope that is real and true, that actually exists. A living hope is active and functioning; it acts and works within the heart of the believer.
“Know the truth about trials and temptations”
Life is full of trials and temptations. Any thinking person can look around and see that life is bombarded with all kinds of trials and temptations. And there are all kinds of trials and temptations. And this fact is especially true with genuine believers, for believers stand in opposition to the selfish, immoral, greedy, and unjust ways of the world. The world is in opposition to God, and we must learn how to conquer the trials and temptations of the world. The trials and temptations of life are not to defeat or discourage us. On the contrary, we are to conquer them. We are to use them as stepping stones to become stronger spiritually and stronger in life.
“Know the wonder and greatness of salvation”
Peter’s letter, gives us a great description of salvation. It describes the wonder and greatness of salvation, the glorious truth that God saves us from death and exalts us, and “seats us in heavenly places with Jesus Christ” {Ephesians 2:6}. Salvation is so glorious a work that even the angels are curious to understand what it means {1 Peter 1:12}. Our understanding of what salvation is can be found in the “Gospel”, the good news of God's eternal salvation - God’s power to save. The believer’s responsibility is clear: we must believe the gospel and commit our total being to Jesus Christ the Lord and begin to follow and live for Him. If we neglect “so great a salvation,” how can we escape? We cannot! There is no way God will ever let us escape if we neglect the salvation of His own Son Jesus Christ {Hebrews 2:3}.
“Get your mind ready”
When we are facing the trials and temptations of life, it is not enough to keep our eyes upon salvation. We must also act; we must do something. Remember, “faith is believing, with corresponding action.” When we undergo the trials of life, whether persecution and suffering or temptation and sin, we must act. We must dedicate our lives to God, and we must get our minds ready. We cannot allow our thoughts to roam about and entertain thoughts of lust and worldliness. We are to focus our thoughts upon things that are godly and invoke praise {Philippians 4:8}. We are not to allow thoughts that are immoral and ungodly.
“Live on earth in the fear and reverence of God”
To fear God is thought to be psychologically unsound and emotionally disturbing. It is said to drive people into all kinds of emotional problems. However, we must reverence God and hold God in the highest esteem and honor. If we reverence God, we will worship and serve Him. Therefore, the fear that God wants us to have is a fear of reverence and awe, a fear that will stir us to love God and worship Him with the deepest of emotions - with all that we are, with true honor and esteem.
“Love one another passionately”
There is no greater force than love. If two people truly love each other, they will do anything for the other. There is no greater bond on earth than true love. This is especially true of the love between believers. This is the reason we are to love our brothers and sisters. God cleanses our souls from sin for the very purpose of loving others, and we are obedient when we love them. It is a circle: we are obedient when we love them, and we love them when we are obedient. God has cleansed our souls so that we can love people with a clean and pure heart.
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