July 25

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, — Eph 2:6 BSB

After his resurrection, Jesus did not remain on earth but ascended to the right hand of the Majesty on high. When he ascended, all of the elect ascended with him. He did not leave his members behind but took them with him into heaven. This is a pledge that they will one day be with him in eternal glory, for they have already ascended with him as members of his mystical body. Experientially, this lifting up of the soul to sit with Christ in heavenly places is seen when our affections are raised heavenward, and we experience victory over sin, death, hell, and Satan, as Christ has placed all enemies under his feet. To enjoy this is to sit with Christ in heavenly places.

One of the final acts that God often does for the soul is to lift it up to sit with Christ in the anticipation of eternal glory. To see death dethroned, hell defeated, sin abolished, and eternal life secured for the saints of God—to enjoy this in sweet foretaste—is to be in heaven before we actually get there. This is sitting with Christ in heavenly places by virtue of his own exaltation at the right hand of the Father.

Now, consider the blessings that flow from our union with Christ. Why did God quicken your soul? Because you were a member of Christ. Why were you given hope through grace, and why did mercy, peace, and pardon flow into your soul? Because when Christ rose from the grave, you, as a member of his body, rose with him. Why do you sometimes experience your affections set on things above and gain victory over sin, death, and hell? Why do you look forward with anticipation to eternal joy? It is because, as a member of Christ’s body, you have already ascended with him and are seated at the right hand of God with Christ, who sits as the Head of his body in glory.