Discipleship Encouragement and Correction, Doctrinal Teachings, Millpond Ink Musing
Millpond Ink Musing – Of Here and There and God and Mammon
“Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh
in the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 2:2
I find wonderful perfections and consistencies throughout the 66 books of the Bible, which were written over 1,500 years by 40 different authors. The more I read and apply, the more the Spirit illumines even greater truths; such as this morning at church with the reading of Ephesians 2:1-10. Normally this passage is read to support a sermon of the nature of God’s grace, which it was this morning. Nonetheless, it details a most heavenly transition of the saints compared to the world of the sinner.
In verses 1-3, the Apostle Paul describes our condition before we were saved by grace, and that, we were dead and lived under the authority of the prince of the power of the air. However, what became of us afterwards?
In verse 6, we are told that Jesus raised us up and made us sit in heavenly places! We are told elsewhere that we are ‘hid in Christ in God.’ (Col. 3:3) So, what does this contrast demonstrate? It tells us that a true believer has already been translated to a place above the air and the Strongman plundered (Mark 3:27).
Accordingly, our lives should no longer exhibit our former walk according to the course of this world; in sin and trespasses…fulfilling the lust of the flesh. No, we’ve been called to walk circumspectly, humbly and in love for God and others. Moreover, our presence now in Christ in God in the heavenlies gives us authority to resist the Devil; who is prince over this lower strata; that is, the air. In fact, we shall one day judge the angels!
What shall we do with this comparison for application? Do we need more of a contrast in order to consider our lives; how we live, and our current placement? Do we find our hearts enraptured or do we continue to walk in the course of this world? Do not be deceived for if the latter is true of us; then we have been told that men cannot serve both God and mammon (Matt. 6:24).
