“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “
“where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God”
Jesus is currently seated at “the right hand of God.” This session is the completeness of our position. Our status quo before God in Christ is already finished in God’s eyes– Jesus sat down from accomplishing our salvation. Our standing is complete in the mind of God.
Jesus is “above” at the right hand of God. He represents us there (Ps. 110:1; Luke 22:69; Acts 2:33; 5:31; Rom. 8:34; Eph. 1:20; Heb. 1:3, 13; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22). We must know where Jesus is. He is not in a grave in Palestine. He is at the summit of all existence, at Father’s right hand.
“Right hand” is a metaphorical expression of power or authority (Acts 2:33; Matt. 26:64; Mark 14:62; Heb. 1:13). Our position in Christ is a position of high status of authority; The Father seated us at His right hand in Christ.
Christ’s body is not lying in a grave in the Mid East. He is in heaven. That is far beyond anything that you say for other religious leaders. They are dead and buried. Jesus’ resurrection is what makes Christianity unique– He is alive today. His humanity is seated at the right hand of God. If Jesus Christ is dead, then Christianity is a joke, a cruel farce. The glory of Christianity is that He is alive.
Principle:
The position of Christ at God’s right hand carries a guarantee of our eternal glory.
Application:
Our position before God is complete in Christ; He is the forerunner who accomplished the work that guarantees our coming fellowship with God.
Jesus finalized our redemption (Heb. 9:23-10:18). His sitting at the right hand of God is a symbol of complete salvation. God is presently seated with Christ in a state of finished and complete redemption. There never will be a time when we are not in positional truth. The merit is all His and none of ours. No one can add to it or take from it. It is final and perfect. We sit with Christ with all the privileges, prerogatives, promises, and powers of positional truth.
It is impossible to ask God for more than we already have in Christ. We have everything necessary for a vital, dynamic life in Christ.
As everything in the physical realm draws to a center by gravity, so everything in the spiritual sphere draws to a center in Christ. Everything in our spiritual lives is to revolve around Him. He is the one on whom we are to set our affections.
Every spiritual experience in life rests on one of our positions in Christ. Confession rests on the finished work of Christ; worship rests on the privilege of our priesthood; prayer hangs on coming to God in Christ’s name. Positionally, we are at the right hand of the Father with Christ. Because of that, we share His destiny, priesthood, sonship, heirship, and election. He has made possible many operating assets for living the Christian life.
We have the right to seek heavenly things because of Christ. When we seek Christ, we do not seek a dead person.
Dr. Richison,
First off thank you so much for your commentary. I find it to be a fantastic tool in my studies. I just have curious question for you. I note that you said, "We must know where Jesus is. He is not in a grave in Palestine." Why did you choose to say Palestine and not Israel? Thanks and I pray for God's choicest blessings on you.
Price
Price, Palestine is used in two ways: 1) for the state of Palestine and 2) for the geographical area of the land given to Israel. I used the term in the later sense. The term "Israel" is used for 1) the people whom God chose and 2) the land where they reside. These terms, therefore, are used very loosely.