Sit, Walk and Stand Based On Grace and His Finished Work (1)

Watchman Nee has written an excellent book, Sit, Walk, Stand. In the book, he expounds Ephesians which he says is essentially divided into two parts, part 1 (chapters 1-3) and part 2 (chapters 4-6). The first part of Ephesians reveals our life in Christ to be one of union with Him in the highest heavens. The second half shows us in very practical terms how such a heavenly life is to be lived by us here on the earth.

Nee points out that there is one key word in each section, “Sit” (Ephesians 2:6 NKJ : “and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,), “Walk” (Ephesians 4:1 NKJ : “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,”) and “Stand” (Ephesians 6:11 NKJ : “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”)

I am writing this post and another two on this topic of “Sit, Walk and Stand” from the point of view of our Christian walk based on God’s grace and Jesus’ finished work on the cross. I shall share my reflections on “Sit” in this post.

Before we can have a good “walk", we must first be able to “sit” well. Ephesians 2:6 tells us that we have been raised up together with Christ and we have been made to sit in heavenly places in Him. When did this wonderful thing happen? It happened when Christ was resurrected. He died as us and we were in Him crucified and resurrected together and made to sit in heavenly places with the Father. It is possible because we are IN Christ.

As believers, we need to know that our identity is IN Christ and " as He is, so are we in this world" (1 John 4:17 NKJ). We are no longer wretched sinners but we have been raised up and are now seated with Christ in heavenly places. Nee says that “The believer, by virtue of his union with Christ, is enthroned in the invisible world of spiritual reality where Christ reigns supreme. Because we are made alive in Him, raised up us with Him, the result is that we are jointly seated with Him.” Colossians then exhorts us “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:1,2 NKJ)

"Sit” in the Bible is a picture of rest. Mary, the sister of Martha, SAT at Jesus’ feet, receiving and drawing from Him. She was at rest, as compared to Martha who was busy with serving and trying to meet Jesus’ physical needs. Jesus said to her, ““Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41 NKJ)

When Mary Magdalene went to Jesus’ tomb, she saw “two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.” (John 20:12 NKJ). The angels were finally SITTING down because Jesus has finished the work on the cross. There was nothing more to be done, that’s why they could rest. Hebrews 10:12 also talks about Jesus SITTING at the Father's right hand after He has paid the sacrifice for sins "But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,"

To have a good “walk”, we need to start with a position of rest, that is to rest in the finished work of our Lord who cried “It is Finished!” on the cross. All our sins, past, present and future have been taken care of on that cross and our healing has also been purchased by His broken body, for by His stripes we have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24)

Another aspect of rest is to rest in the knowledge that God no longer judges us based on our behaviour but He sees us righteous IN Christ. We are no longer under the law but under grace (God’s unearned, unmerited favour) “for you are not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:14 NKJ) We can rest in the knowledge that we don’t have to work hard to earn brownie points with God , blessings are ours by His grace and grace is a gift to be received.

We also can “sit” securely and free from worries because we do not have to “take care” any more. Jesus beseeched us in Matthew 11:28 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” 1 Peter 5:7 tells us, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

We should begin our Christian walk from this wonderful position of rest and our identity in Christ, then our “walk” will be stable and well.

………to be continued………..