This verse declares that we have already died with Christ, a fact that is part of our redemption. In fact, we were in Jesus when He was crucified because of the sins of humanity (Romans 6:6). We do not know how God did this, as it would still take two thousand years for our presence on Earth. Due to His foreknowledge, the Lord knows what will happen until the moment the fire from Heaven descends to melt all things (2 Peter 3:10).

God placed us in Christ, so that we were also crucified. For having received our sins, He was separated from His Father: And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27.46). Seeing that everything was upon Him, the Savior bowed His head and breathed one last time. Then He descended into Hell to defeat the king of evil (Ephesians 4:8-10).

We continued in God when He fought against the devil and the forces of darkness, stripping them of the authority stolen from Adam, with which they oppressed us. Upon defeating Satan and his demons, the Spirit of God descended into that region of death and gave life to Jesus, and with Him, we were made alive: even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), (Ephesians2.5). Our Father is beautiful!

Christ was made alive, and we too, but He was still in the depths of Hell. The work was almost complete. If He had not risen, our faith would be nothing, and we would be in the hands of the enemy: whom God raised up, having loosed the^]pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.  (Acts 2.24). And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. (1 Corinthians 15.14). However, He has risen!

Jesus was taken up to Heaven and sat down in the heavenly places. We also went with Him to be seated there: and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, (Ephesians 2.6). Now, we live in the Lord, as He Himself stated: “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. (John 14.19). Our Redeemer is perfect!

Today, our spiritual position in Christ is one of supremacy, for we live for righteousness: who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.  (1 Peter 2.24). It is impossible for any Christian not to feel loved by God after hearing these truths!

The base verse of this message teaches that we must live exercising our rights in the Son of God, so that the Father may be glorified in Him. Regarding this, the Master declared: And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son (John 14.13). This asking means demanding the removal of evil. Believe!

         In Christ, with love,

         R. R. Soares