This scripture speaks directly to our position in Christ.  This position is termed Sanctification.  Sanctification is both permanent and progressive.

We are in Christ and we are (at the same time ) becoming in Christ.  Paul is telling us that we should center our thoughts and our minds on our position in Christ.

Today, we are more concerned about our condition rather than our position.

Where do you stand? Are you worried so much about your current condition- that your position in Christ has had to take a secondary position in your life?

Many of us are caught up in our condition.  We are caught up in our schooling which will give us a shot at a better job and better future.  We are caught up in jobs so much that we put them first.  Seriously!  We put our jobs in front of our families, our spouse, our church and even our God.  We focus on our financial, physical, mental, and emotional needs so much we have little time for anything or anyone else.  Our condition keeps us up all night worrying. Our condition sends us to the doctor, or to our counselor.  Our condition makes us say – “I need a vacation” Our condition makes us into something we don’t like to think about.  It makes us jealous. It makes us fearful. It makes us angry.  It can consume us.

Let me declare right now that we need to quit worrying so much about our condition and start focusing more on our position.

Our Position in Christ is eternal.  It is all powerful.  It is peaceful.  It is full of life.  It is permanent.  It is not based on our efforts or our goodness, but on God’s love.  Our position in Christ does not have a boss which we have to please to maintain our condition.

Why would you be more concerned about your condition more than your position?

You see our Position transforms our Condition, but our Condition never changes our Position.

Lets look at this position closer: Christ Jesus died for us and gave us a position which gives us the right to approach God in Christ’s innocence.  We have the rights to all that Christ was given when he came to earth.

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

Matthew 28:18-20- 18

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Our position in God through Christ is one where we stand in His Power, and in His Unlimited Grace.

In our Scripture Ephesians 1:7 – where it says “the riches of his grace;” as we study the Greek we see that this has a 2 fold meaning “Abundant and Precious.”

What makes this Grace to us as Christians  Precious is the blood of Jesus.  Jesus, God’s greatest gift to mankind- His only Son, was sacrificed on a cruel cross for our redemption, meaning the complete deliverance from our sins.  That makes it the most prized gift ever offered to mankind. It cost so much why would anyone reject it. More important why would anyone having tasted of the Glory of the Lord and his Grace sacrifice their position in Christ for their condition in this world?  This Grace is too precious to turn down or turn away from.

But not only is it precious, it is Abundant.  There is no way you can imagine the scope of God’s Grace to us.  There are those that believe that being a Christian is merely sealing your ticket to heaven.  Well that is really great.  What else could we ask for?  To have our eternity sealed in Heaven.

But it is more than that.  God wants to lavish His love on us with gifts of Grace (meaning undeserved gifts). He wants to constantly give gifts of his love to us in every situation.  Which effects our condition.

Can you think of a time when God delivered you from a poor condition to a better one?

There is nothing you can do to transform your position with God by your condition.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

No amount of good living, benevolent gifts, caring offerings, or love for the poor and oppressed will affect your position in God. Paul said, “my goodness is as filthy rags to a Holy Righteous God.”

But again your Position in Christ has the power to transform every condition you find yourself in.

You’ve heard it said, “not what you know, but who you know.”  So true.

Illustration-  My trip to Israel in 1985 and subsequent trip to Egypt was suspended because of a strike by workers. We were stuck in the airport in Tel Aviv for hours.  I listened as people stuck in the airport tried to buy their way to their destination.  They offered enormous prices.  I on the other hand was with Dr. Wayne Dehoney of Lousiville, Kentucky and Southern Baptist Seminary.  He had been coming to the Middle East for many years.  They knew him.  Money did not talk, but knowing Dr. Dehoney did.  We were all ushered to another gate and given a special flight to Egypt.  Why?  We were with Dr. Dehoney.