Positional Truths and Blessings of Believers

When a person becomes a believer in Jesus Christ, he or she is instantaneously enriched with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3; Colossians 2:10). This can be referred to theologically as positional truths or blessings.

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Whenever the Apostle Paul uses terms such as “in Christ”, “in Jesus”, “in Christ Jesus” or “in Jesus Christ”, then God reveals something that is true of the believer’s position of being in the Messiah (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:13). These positional truths or blessings are because of God’s grace, it is “to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6). The position in Christ is not only the basis of the believer’s authority (cf. Ephesians 1:18-19), but the position in Christ is also the believer’s best defence in spiritual warfare (cf. Colossians 2:14-15; Hebrews 2:14-15). To be strong in the Lord (cf. Ephesians 6:10) is to recognise our position in Christ Jesus and the authority that comes with that position in Him.

Positional Truths and Blessings of the Believer in Christ

If you never receive Jesus Christ by faith, He who died on the cross in your place to pay the penalty for your sins and who rose again to ever reign with God the Father, then you will forfeit these awesome blessings. However, when you receive Jesus Christ by faith, the following 33 things are unconditionally promised in the Word of God to you as a member of the body of Christ.

In the Eternal Plan of God

Foreknown (Romans 8:29; 1 Peter 1:2), elect of God (Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; Titus 1:1; 1 Peter 1:2), predestined (Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:5, 11), chosen (Matthew 22:14; Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 2:4) and called (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

Reconciled

Reconciled by God (2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Colossians 1:20) and to God (Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:20).

Redeemed

Read Romans 3:24; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; 1 Peter 1:18.

No Condemnation

Read John 3:18; Romans 8:1; John 5:24; 1 Corinthians 11:32.

Propitiation

Read Romans 3:24-26; 1 John 2:2; 4:10.

Forgiven

Read Romans 4:25; Ephesians 1:7; 4:32; Colossians 1:14; 2:13; 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24. A distinction is necessary between complete judicial forgiveness and oft-repeated family-forgiveness (cf. 1 John 1:9).

Judgement of the Old Nature Unto A New Walk

Crucified with Christ (Romans 6:6), dead with Christ (Romans 6:8; 1 Peter 2:24), buried with Christ (Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12) and raised with Christ to walk by a new life principle (Romans 6:4, Colossians 3:1).

Freed From the Law of Moses (But Under the Law of Christ)

Dead to the Law (Romans 7:4) and delivered from the Law (Romans 6:14; 7:6; 2 Corinthians 3:11; Galatians 3:25).

Children of God

Begotten (1 John 5:1; 1 Peter 1:23), quickened (Ephesians 2:5; Colossians 2:13), sons and daughters of God (Galatians 3:26; 2 Corinthians 6:18; 1 John 3:2) and a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 2:10; 4:24).

Adopted

Read Romans 8:15, 23; Galatians 4:5-7.

Acceptable to God by Jesus Christ

Declared righteous by the imputation of Christ’s righteousness (Romans 5:11-21; 1 Corinthians 1:30), sanctified in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:2, 30; 6:11), perfected forever (Hebrews 10:14), made acceptable (John 3:18; 5:24; Romans 8:1) and made qualified (Colossians 1:12).

Justified

Read Romans 3:24; 5:1; 8:30; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Titus 3:7.

Made Close

Read Ephesians 2:13. There is an application in James 4:8.

Transferred Into God’s Kingdom

Read Colossians 1:13; 2 Peter 1:11.

On the Rock, Christ Jesus

Read Matthew 7:24-27; 1 Corinthians 3:9-15; Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Peter 2:4-6.

A Gift From God the Father To God the Son

Read John 6:37-40; 17:2, 6, 9, 24.

Circumcision Of the Heart In Christ

Read Philippians 3:3; Colossians 2:11.

Partakers of the Holy and Royal Priesthood

A holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:5), a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6).

Chosen Generation, a Holy Nation, and A People of God’s Own Possession

Read 1 Peter 2:9; cf. Titus 2:14.

Deliverance

Delivered from the power of darkness: Acts 26:18; Ephesians 2:1-2; Colossians 1:13.

Glorified

Read Romans 8:18, 30; 9:23; Colossians 3:4; 1 John 3:2..

The First-fruits of the Holy Spirit

Born of the Spirit / regenerated (John 3:5-6), baptized by means of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13), indwelt by the Spirit (Romans 5:5, 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19), sealed with the Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30) and anointed with the Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:21; 1 John 2:20).

Having Access to God

Read Romans 5:2; Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 4:14-16; 10:19-20.

Within the “Much More” Care of God

We are the objects of His love (Ephesians 2:4; 5:2) and the objects of His grace for salvation (Ephesians 2:7-9), for security (Romans 5:2; Philippians 1:6), for service (Ephesians 2:10; 4:7) and for instruction (Titus 2:11-13). We are also the objects of His power (Ephesians 1:19), His faithfulness (Hebrews 13:5), His peace (Philippians 4:6-9; Colossians 3:15), His comfort (2 Thessalonians 2:16), His personal care (1 Peter 5:7) and the objects of His intercession (Romans 8:27, 34; Hebrews 7:25).

His Inheritance

Read Ephesians 1:18.

Our Inheritance

Read Romans 8:17; Galatians 4:7; Ephesians 1:11, Colossians 1:12; 3:24; Hebrews 9:15; 1 Peter 1:4.

Heavenly Associations

We are partners with Christ in life (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3-4; 1 John 5:11-12), in position (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 3:1-3), in service (John 17:18; 20:21; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 3:9), in suffering (Romans 8:17; Philippians 1:29; 2 Timothy 2:12), in prayer (John 14:12-14; 16:23-24; 1 John 5:14-15) and partners with Christ in betrothal (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:25-27).

Heavenly Citizens

Read Luke 10:20; Ephesians 2:19; Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 12:22-24; 1 Peter 2:11-12.

In the Family and Household of God

Read 1 Corinthians 3:9; Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 2:19-20; 1 Peter 2:5.

Light in the Lord

Read Ephesians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5.

Vitally United to the Father, Son and Spirit

In God the Father (John 17:21; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1), in God the Son (John 14:20; 17:21; Romans 8:1; Colossians 1:27) and in God the Holy Spirit (John 14:16; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2:12; Ephesians 2:22).

Complete in Him

Read Colossians 2:10.

Possessing Every Spiritual Blessing

Read 1 Corinthians 3:23; Ephesians 1:3.

Part of the Fellowship Of the Saints

Read John 17:11, 21-23; 1 John 1:3, 7.

Conclusion

We receive all the above blessings the moment we come to faith in Christ Jesus our Saviour. It is very important that believers understand their position in Christ. This position in Christ is the basis for our authority, our defence in spiritual warfare. This battle is fought against the flesh, the world and the devil and his demonic forces. We never stand on our own merit, but only in our Lord Jesus Christ — based on what He has already done for us, as set out in the Word of God. We stand on the basis of our position in Christ and on the fact that God has imputed Christ’s righteousness to us. To Christ be the glory.

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If you would like to read more about Positional Truths and Blessings of Believers, we suggest you read the original article and source of this summary, Positional Truths and Blessings of Believers, written by Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

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