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"SEATED IN HEAVENLY PLACES" "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:Not of works, lest any man should boast.For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:4-10)The wonderful portrait the Holy Spirit paints for us here is an awe-inspiring picture of God's saving grace, bringing us from death to life and from separation to salvation. It emphasizes that no matter our past was, our ethnicity, or our deeds, we are welcomed into God's household by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ.Did you happen to notice the blessings of the empty tomb which are ours in verses 5 and 6? The word "together" is found 3 times. They're there for a reason.For they not only tell us that Christ is now seated in heavenly places, but because of God's rich mercy and great love which He has shed upon us, we who were once dead in sins and have been quickened (made alive) by grace and have been made to sit together right alongside Him with a glorious view of His exceeding riches! Wow, that long sentence was a mouthful, wasn't it? But it sure tasted good!Here's some more good news. You don’t have wait around to find out if you will be seated together with Christ in the heavenlies. You can have it right now by stripping off your guilt clothes and strapping on His grace clothes which God provides for all who trust Christ for salvation. No longer will you have look at your past through the eyes of guilt, rather, now you can look at your present and future through the eyes of grace!To be sure, salvation is entirely God's work. Sinners cannot save themselves. Through faith they can only turn to God in their helplessness, and humbly accept the salvation that God offers. Good works cannot earn them salvation, but once they are saved their lives should be full of good works. When God gives people a new life, they're expected to live a new life. Friends. since we who are saved, serve, and follow our Saviour, we are already perched in the heavenlies with Jesus. That ought to give each of us a joyful out-look concerning those things around us. For we now see them because of our Heavenly Seat which God has honored and graciously given us.