James Chapter One
Lesson 12 June 6
Key
Observations Pertinent to Positional Truth and Our Identification with Christ
1. Positional Truth
is the Foundation for Growth and Change in life.
When properly grasped, it protects us from the
trickery/scheming of men
and from Satan's substitutes for relationship with Christ, i.e.
true spirituality, and it forms the foundation for spiritual victory over the
sinful nature, the flesh. [Eph 4:14]
In other words, the truth of Romans 6, our position in
Christ, is crucial truth giving us an understanding of the reality of God's
gracious provision for overcoming the power of the indwelling sin nature by
means of the Spirit who dwells within each believer and the Word illumined by
Him.
Positional truth then means that we share in all that Jesus
is in His person and we share in what He did and will do, its His Work. 1 Cor. 1:30
2. Positional Truth, being
identified with Christ means:
(1) As He died unto sin, (Rom 6:7) so we too have died unto
sin.
(2) As He rose from the dead, so have we being identified
with Him. Romans 6:4,5
- We were dead in
our sins, now we have a new life, His life!
(Gal 2:20)
(3) As He is seated at God's right hand, so are we. Ephesians
2:6
(4) As He is the Son, so we are now sons by faith. Gal. 3:26
(5) As He is eternal life, so we have eternal life. Rom.
(6) As He is perfect
righteousness, so we have His righteousness.
Phil. 3:9
3. The Nature of Our Position in
Christ as Believer's
One's position in Christ is not a
conscious experience, an emotion, or some second blessing to be sought.
It is a spiritual fact that takes place as a grace work of God when one
believes in Christ.
One condition - faith in the
right object, the Word of Truth.
4. Our Position in Christ is Perfect
and Complete
Unlike spiritual growth and maturity in the Christian walk,
positional truth is not progressive.
From the moment of salvation, having been placed into union
with Christ by the Holy Spirit, believer's are blessed
with every spiritual blessing and are complete, in Him.
We lack nothing (cf. 2 Pet 1:3; Eph.
1:3 and Col. 2:10)
- Do we use and exploit these resources? 1 Pet. 2:1-2; 2 Pet. 3:18.
5. Positional truth means at least three wonderful
facts for every believer:
(1) He totally surrounds you; you are enveloped by His life.
(2) Your position is protected
from any and everything that is hostile or dangerous. Romans 8:34-39 nothing can impact
(3) He supplies you with every possible need for life (Eph. 1:3; Phil.
6. Our Position in Christ is Eternal and Permanent
Salvation is totally a work of God's grace and based on the
merit and worth of Christ and His finished work rather than any of our works.
Since that is true, there is nothing we can do to lose it (John
Though he declared them carnal, fleshly, that is dominated
by their Sin Nature in chapter 3, the Apostle viewed
them as still positionally in
Christ.