Sit, Walk, Stand

Sometimes we need a handhold. In rock climbing, handholds are little variations in a shear wall where you can grab hold and pull yourself up. They make a massive task manageable.

Years ago, I ran across a book that give me three handholds that helped me understand the book of Ephesians. “Sit, Walk, Stand: The Process of Christian Maturity.” Written by Watchman Nee (a Chinese pastor who was persecuted and imprisoned for his faith), this little book helps us grab hold of three verbs to demonstrate how we can grow in Christ.

Sit

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,”  -Ephesians 2:6

This represents our position in Christ. We are seated with Him in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come (Ephesians 1:20-21). In Christ, we are complete, we are accepted, and we are loved.

“Most Christians make the mistake of trying to walk in order to be able to sit, but that is a reversal of the true order. Our natural reason says, If we do not walk, how can we ever reach the goal? What can we attain without effort? How can we ever get anywhere if we do not move? But Christianity is a strange business! If at the outset we try to do anything, we get nothing; if we seek to attain something, we miss everything. For Christianity begins not with the big DO, but with the big DONE. Thus Ephesians opens with the statement that God has ‘blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ’ (1:3) and we are invited at the very outset to sit down and enjoy what God has done for us; not to set out to try and attain it for ourselves.” – Watchman Nee.

Walk

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. - Ephesians 2:10

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. - Ephesians 5:1-2

…walk as children of light. - Ephesians 5:8

Therefore be careful how you walk. - Ephesians 5:15

This represents our daily life on earth. As Christians, we are called to walk in a way that is worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work, and growing in the knowledge of God. We walk by faith, not by sight, trusting in God's promises and leading a life that is holy and righteous.

Stand

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes…. put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”  -Ephesians 6:11, 13

This represents our spiritual warfare against the devil and his forces. We are called to stand firm in the faith, wearing the full armor of God, and resisting the devil's schemes. We stand by the power of God's Word and through the blood of Jesus Christ.

“When you fight to get the victory, then you have lost the battle at the very outset. Suppose Satan sets out to assault you in your home or in your business. Difficulties mount up, misunderstandings arise, a situation that you can neither deal with nor escape threatens to overwhelm you. You pray, you fast, you struggle and resist for days, but nothing happens. Why? You are trying to fight into victory, and in doing so are relinquishing to the enemy the very ground that is yours.” -Watchman Nee

Conclusion

Remember, these three aspects are interconnected. We cannot walk in a way that is pleasing to the Lord unless we are first seated in Christ. And we cannot stand against the enemy unless we are walking in righteousness and faith.

That order is important: Sit, Walk, Stand. Grace, Faith, Works.

With You;

Pastor Tim