A Posture of Rest, Assurance, and Satisfaction in 2026

The biblical passage that speaks powerfully to me at the beginning of this year is found in Ephesians 2:6, “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” There are several implications of this verse:

First, there is a raising up that took place: “God raised us up with Christ...” The truth of the matter is we were dead because of our sins. Verse 1 of Chapter 2 of Ephesians states it very clearly: “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins.” This explains the troubles, conflicts, wars, death, and decay that are taking place in the world today. It is the problem of a world indwelt by sinful humanity.

Second, there is a positional shift from our sinful state to an exalted place: “God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him…” The most amazing thing about this statement is God did not leave us in our fallen and precarious state. He did something by sending His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins. The previous verses in verses 4 and 5 declare this plainly: “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”

Then third, God has seated us in a lofty and magnificent place with His Son: “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” First, there is a “raising up” that took place, and then we are “seated with Christ” in the heavenly realms. How can this be possible? This is referring to our spiritual blessings and privileges we now enjoy in Christ through the miracle of the new birth when we first trusted in Him.  “Seated with Christ” speaks of a posture of rest, assurance, satisfaction, and security.

What are the spiritual blessings that we now enjoy in this life? The Apostle Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, went on a roll and listed them down in chapter one of Ephesians. He began by saying, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”

Then he enumerated these eternal blessings we have in Christ. God chose us before the creation of the world. He adopted us into his family. He redeemed us and forgave us from all of our sins. He lavished us with the riches of His grace. And He sealed us with His precious Holy Spirit, which is our guarantee for our eternal inheritance!

Regardless of what is happening or will happen down here in the year 2026, recognize that as believers, we are seated high above with Christ with all the spiritual blessings that we have been lavished with in the heavenly realms!