Sit, Walk, Stand

SIT, WALK, STAND by Watchman Nee

INTRODUCTION: If the life of a Christian is to be pleasing to God it must be properly adjusted to him in all things. Too often we place the emphasis in our own lives upon the application of this principle to some single detail of our behavior or of our work for Him. pg 9

We often measure ourselves in comparison to others (II Cor. 10:12 “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”) but, God measures everything, from start to finish, by the perfection of His Son. It is only by placing our entire emphasis there that we can hope to realize the divine purpose for us. pg 9

In Ephesians, we find the highest spiritual truths concerning the Christian life. In the first section of the letter we note the word sit (2:6) which is the key to that section and the secret of a true Christian experience. God has made us to sit with Christ in the heavenly places, and every Christian must begin his spiritual life from that place of rest.

In the second part we select the word walk (4:1) as expressive of our life in the world, which is its subject. We are challenged there to display in our Christian walk conduct that is in keeping with our high calling.

Finally, in the third part, we find the key to our attitude towards the enemy contained in the one word stand (6:11), expressive of our place of triumph at the end. Thus we have:

KEY WORDS IN EPHESIANS

1. Our Position in Christ --> "SIT" (2:6)

2. Our Life in the World --> "WALK" (4:1)

3. Our Attitude to the Enemy --> "STAND" (6:11)

The life of the believer always presents these three aspects--to God, to man, and to the Satanic power. To be useful in God’s hand a man must be properly adjusted in respect of all three: his position, his life, and his warfare. pg 12

I. SIT Read -->Eph 1:17-21; Eph 2:6 “And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus:”

4891 sunegeiro {soon-eg-i'-ro} from 4862 and 1453; TDNT - 7:786,1102; v

AV - rise with 2, raise up together 1; 3

1) to raise together, to cause to raise together

* 2) to raise up together from mortal death to a new and blessed life dedicated to God

2032 epouranios {ep-oo-ran'-ee-os} from 1909 and 3772; TDNT - 5:538,736; adj

AV - heavenly 16, celestial 2, in heaven 1, high 1; 20

1) existing in heaven

1a) things that take place in heaven

1b) the heavenly regions

1b1) heaven itself, the abode of God and angels

1b2) the lower heavens, of the stars

1b3) the heavens, of the clouds

1c) the heavenly temple or sanctuary

*2) of heavenly origin or nature

We don't sit in the heavenly places with Christ Jesus (yet); we sit in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Since our life and identity is in Christ, as He sits in heavenly places, so do we. (David Guzik)

The idea seems to be, that God has blessed us in Christ in regard to heavenly subjects or matters.

The phrase probably means, in things pertaining to heaven; suited to prepare us for heaven; and tending toward heaven. It probably refers here to every thing that was heavenly in its nature, or that

had relation to heaven, whether gifts or graces. (Barnes’ Notes)

We are already seated there IN Him (“in Christ Jesus,”), and hereafter shall be seated by Him; IN Him already as in our Head, which is the ground of our hope; by Him hereafter, as by the conferring cause, when hope shall be swallowed up in fruition [PEARSON]. (JFB)

Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Our hearts are there, our treasures are there, our citizenship is there in the heavenlies.

Heb 1:3 “Who being the brightness of [his] glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”

What is the first advice that you would give a brand new Christian?

A. Most Christians make the mistake of trying to walk in order to be able to sit, but this is

a reversal of the true order. If at the outset we try to do anything, we miss everything.

For Christianity begins not with a big DO, but with a big DONE. pg 14

B. Walking implies effort, whereas God says that we are saved, not by works, but "by grace